France Considers Scrapping Public Holidays Amid Economic Concerns
Concerns rise as France proposes removing public holidays impacting tourism and local economies.
Key Points
- • Prime Minister proposes removal of Easter Monday and May 8th holidays.
- • If enacted, France would have only 9 public holidays, below EU average of 11.7.
- • Tourism experts warn of severe economic consequences, particularly for rural and coastal areas.
- • Public holidays generate an estimated €2.5 billion in revenue, crucial for local economies.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou's proposal to abolish two public holidays—Easter Monday and May 8th—has sparked significant concern regarding its potential economic and tourism impacts. If the proposal is approved, France would be left with only nine public holidays, considerably fewer than the EU average of 11.7 days.
Tourism experts are voicing strong reservations about the negative consequences of such a change, particularly since May is a pivotal time for tourism. Sylvine Pickel-Chevalier, a tourism professor at the University of Angers, emphasized that these holidays are critical for local economies, especially in rural and coastal areas where tourism heavily supports small businesses. She noted that during holiday weekends, there can be a 30% increase in bookings for accommodations such as gîtes and campgrounds compared to regular weekends.
The economic implications of public holidays are considerable, with estimates indicating they contribute around €2.5 billion in revenue to France. Concerns have been raised that abolishing these holidays could diminish domestic tourism, affecting local economies reliant on tourist spending. Additionally, there are fears that it could concentrate tourism in peak seasons, leading to overcrowding in popular destinations. Resistance to Bayrou’s proposal is mounting as many believe it could harm both the labor force and the tourism sector.