Sicily is taking cautious steps towards relaxing coronavirus lockdowns – along with the rest of Italy. And the region’s government has come up with a novel approach to attracting tourism when the country’s COVID-19 quarantine restrictions end. They’re going to pay for some of your travel costs. Up to half, in fact.

Local Sicilian officials have put forward a plan to pay for up to half of tourists’ flight costs and some accommodation costs in order to boost their all-important tourism industry when the lockdown is relaxed on May 4.

The government also plans to cover one in three hotel nights for visitors to the area, and is also considering a plan to remove museum and archeological site entry fees.

The plan comes with a €50 million price tag, but for a country whose economy depends on tourism, it could well be worth the cost.

Approximately 13 percent of Italy’s gross domestic product comes from tourism. It was one of the worst-hit locations in the early stages of the novel coronavirus pandemic, which occurred during the beginning of peak tourist season. As a result, the country has seen a rapid decline in normal visitor numbers for the period.

Italy is just one of several European countries considering plans to increase tourist foot traffic while still ensuring social distancing remains in place.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said on Tuesday that lockdowns for shops will be lifted on May 11, and Spain is reportedly looking at approaches for social distancing on beaches, while also considering an expert plan to reopen restaurants in some areas, such as Majorca.

The local government plans to make travel cost vouchers available on the Sicily Tourism website.