Background information

On 21 October 2020, the government approved a special measure proposal to support tourism. The proposal provide a legislative framework for the creation of state aid schemes and minimum aid for enterprises in the tourism sector. The schemes are designed to reduce the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and related measures (border closures, compulsory quarantine, closure of facilities). The aid schemes cover the eligible period from the beginning of the second quarter of 2020 to 31 December 2021. The Parliament approved the measure by Act no. 342/2020 Coll. amending the Act no. 91/2010 Coll. on the promotion of tourism effective from 28 November 2020.

Content of measure

In response to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has prepared special assistance for entrepreneurs in tourism. It can be requested, e.g. by restaurants, cafes, bistros, hotels and guest-houses, aqua parks and swimming pools, tourist guides, botanical gardens, zoos, nature reserves, amusement parks, museums, historical monuments and tourist attractions and ski lifts and cable cars. The condition for receiving the aid from 1 April 2020 to 31 December 2021 is more than 40% decrease in revenue due to a pandemic compared to 2019. The amount of the subsidy is determined by the decrease in revenue in the respective month in 2020 compared to the same month in 2019. The subsidy is provided in the amount of 4% to 10% depending on the decrease in the revenue. It must be requested monthly by a separate calculation for each month. For example, when the revenue falls by 100% (closed facility), the applicant will receive a subsidy of up to 10% of the revenue in the respective month in 2019.

The government decided to cover implementation of the measure by €100 million. The estimated financial need is €10 million for 2020, €70 million for 2021 and €20 million for 2022. Demand for tourism services is expected to continue to fall sharply due to the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 and some government measures. During the pandemic, applicants can also use other support schemes - for example, the "First Aid Plus" scheme.

Use of measure

According to the MDV SR, for the period from April to October 2020, eligible applicants applied for financial contributions in the total amount of approximately €64 million. The monthly average of applications was €3,443 per subject. See also case SK-2020-48/2016 .

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Sector specific set of companies	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	European Funds National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Informed	Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative
Form	Not applicable	Any other form of consultation, institutionalised (as stable working groups or committees) or informal

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Only employers' organisations
• Main level of involvement: Sectoral or branch level

Involvement

The measure was initiated by employers in the restaurant and tourism sector. Preparation of the measure was consulted with employers active in the sector.

Views and reactions

The measure entered into force only recently, no comments from the social partners have been recorded.

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 10 November 2020: Výzva na zmiernenie dopadov pandémie ochorenia COVID-19 pre zariadenia cestovného ruchu
• 28 November 2020: Act 342/2020 Coll. amending Act no. 91/2010 Coll. on the promotion of tourism, as amended, in connection with the disease COVID-1 (www.slov-lex.sk)