Tourism a new right in the EU ?

[softwareNerd]

I first thought this article was some type of joke, but it appears genuine:

... programme will be piloted until 2013 and then put into full operation. It will be open to pensioners and anyone over 65, young people between 18 and 25, families facing “difficult social, financial or personal” circumstances and disabled people. The disabled and the elderly can be accompanied by one person.

... it is expected the EU will subsidise about 30% of the cost.

... ...

Tajani’s spokesman said: “Why should someone from the Mediterranean not be able to travel to Edinburgh in summer for a breath of cool, fresh air; why should someone from Edinburgh not be able to travel to Greece in winter?”

The idea is based on a project in Spain in which holidays in the winter off-season are subsidised by the government for European residents aged 55 and over. Spain calculated that for every €1 it spent in subsidies, €1.6 was gained for its resorts.

[gags]

Please, this can't be real. If it's true, can we be far behind? Making America more like Europe is certainly in vogue with our current political class. How long before Krugman writes a column trumpeting the benefits of subsidized vacations?

[softwareNerd]

How long before Krugman writes a column trumpeting the benefits of subsidized vacations?

True, Keynesianism doesn't die. The part I quoted said that a 1 Euro subsidy led to a 1.6 Euro gain for the resorts. No mention of the Mr. Forgotten who coughed up the 1 Euro in taxes and his lessened spending; no mention of the 0.6 Euro that the tourist would spend on something non-touristy is he wasn't going to Spain on Mr. Forgotten's dime!