To save energy: pensioners should spend the winter on Mallorca

Created: 05/14/2022, 20:46

Because of the impending gas supply stop from Russia, pensioners should spend the winter months on Mallorca – to save energy. 

Palma de Mallorca – The EU oil embargo and the threat of a supply freeze for Russian gas are driving up energy costs.

At the latest when winter is just around the corner, this becomes a problem.

In order to save gas, the chairwoman of the Association of Independent Self-Employed Travel Agencies (VUSR), Marija Linnhoff, has made an unusual suggestion.

Seniors could spend the winter months in warmer countries, Mallorca Zeitung reports.

She suggested a longer vacation in Turkey, Mallorca or Tunisia.

This would save energy in Germany.

Many retired people would already be spending the winter on Mallorca anyway.

Another suggestion: Long-term leave should be subsidized by the state.

In view of the federal government's relief package because of the increased energy costs, such a subsidy makes sense.

Because the energy price flat rate of 300 euros only gets people who are subject to income tax - CDU financial expert Antje Tillmann revealed how pensioners still benefit from the energy price flat rate.

According to Linnhoff, a lump sum for a longer holiday should help to finance the trip and protect the gas reserves in Germany.

Wintering in Turkey, Tunisia or Mallorca: this is what pensioners should do to save energy.

© John-Patrick Morarescu/dpa

Pensioners should spend the winter on Mallorca: a grant for a long-term trip would help

The starting price for a 50-day trip to Mallorca would currently be around 1300 euros per person.

Such a trip includes half-board, flights and a stay in a middle-class hotel.

For self-catering, the price is reduced to 950 euros, Linnhoff explains to the Mallorca Zeitung.

With a subsidy of 500 euros, such a trip would be financially feasible.

"You kill several birds with one stone: the pensioners would also get grants, we save gas for industry and support holiday destinations.

Because I think Mallorca is still being shaken by the pandemic," Linnhoff is quoted as saying.

In any case, the travel industry was hit by the Ukraine conflict: Families would first forgo a holiday if they got into financial difficulties.

"We need ways that travel is subsidized."

Linnhoff represents more than 7000 travel agencies in Germany with the VUSR.

According to the Mallorca Zeitung, she was appointed to the federal government's tourism advisory board last week by Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens).

Your suggestion that pensioners should spend the winter months in warmer vacation spots has nothing to do with this decision.

Send pensioners on vacation because of a lack of gas: politicians criticize Linhoff's proposal

Linnhoff was criticized for her proposal.

According to media reports, the Economics Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Andreas Pinkwart, fears a slump in the Christmas business.

If purchasing power were to fall as a result, new problems could arise.

Linnhoff counters that travel in January and February would not affect the Christmas business.

SPD politician Ralf Stegner told the Bild newspaper: "This is a typical crazy idea and certainly not a contribution to solving our energy policy challenges".

CDU politician Jana Schminke also said: "Only a few pensioners should actually be able to afford the double burden of ongoing rent at home and a stay abroad, despite state subsidies," quotes the picture.

On Monday, the VUSR published a statement on reporting about Linnhoff on its homepage.

In it, the chairwoman explains that she is looking forward to the debate on her proposal, because in view of the current crisis all sectors "must make a contribution to saving energy".

All possibilities should therefore be discussed.

"This also applies to the tourism industry and the idea of ​​wintering in warmer climes should be taken seriously in several respects, because - well done and conceptualized - it can save energy, which we in industry and other system-relevant areas will use well in the coming winter can,” Linnhoff writes in the statement.

(Natasha Terjung)