LONDON, March 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
The UK has the least number of paid and public holidays across Europe
Research released today by Hotels.com reveals discrepancies in paid and public holiday entitlements across Europe. When looking at both statutory annual leave and public holiday allowances across the EU, it's the Brits who come bottom of the table, with a minimum of 28 days' holiday when compared to residents of Russia and Italy, who top the table, benefitting from 40 and 36 days' holiday respectively.
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Of the 12 European nations surveyed, the hotel expert revealed the average leave and public holiday entitlement to be 33 days across Europe, meaning UK workers lose out on a working week away from the office. Ireland, Germany and Switzerland following suit with only 29 days, just one day more than the UK.
A plethora of bank holidays also exist across Europe, with Spain, Italy and Russia leading the way with 12 days each, with holidays such as 'Victory Day' on 9th May in Russia and the 'Assumption of Mary' on 15th August in Spain. In contrast, the UK has the least number of public holidays, only eight, with patron saints' days, St Andrew's Day, St David's Day and St George's Day not recognised as public holidays in Scotland, Wales and England, unlike Ireland's St. Patrick's Day, whose celebrations on 17th March are famous worldwide.
On a global scale, Mexico has the lowest total of paid and public holidays with a total of 13 days given to workers; almost 30 days less than the top ranking country of Russia. While the British are given 20 days' annual leave, the likes of China, Thailand and Taiwan each receive 5, 6 and 7 days' annual leave respectively.
Alison Couper, from Hotels.com, said: "Despite UK workers receiving the least amount of bank holidays and annual leave amongst their European counterparts, they can at least take some comfort from the fact that it's not the most hard done by nation globally, with Mexicans receiving a mere 13 days' holiday a year. It's fascinating to think what we could do with an extra 12 days' holiday a year, like those who live and work in Russia!"
Total European holiday entitlement for 2013:
Country Annual leave Public holidays Total
1 Russia 28 12 40
2 Italy 24 12 36
2 Sweden 25 11 36
4 Finland 25 10 35
4 France 25 10 35
4 Norway 25 10 35
7 Denmark 25 9 34
7 Spain 22 12 34
9 Germany 20 9 29
9 Ireland 20 9 29
9 Switzerland 20 9 29
12 UK 20 8 28
* Please note the data does not include public holidays that fall on a weekend.
About Hotels.com
Hotels.com is a leading online accommodation booking website with almost 200,000 properties around the world, ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local favourites and bed & breakfasts, together with all the information needed to book the perfect stay. Travellers can book online or by contacting one of the multilingual call centres. Special apps for mobile phones and tablets can also be downloaded enabling customers to book on the go with access to 20,000 last minute deals. Through its industry-leading loyalty programme Welcome Rewards, customers can earn a free night for every 10 nights stayed at more than 85,000 hotels, subject to Welcome Rewards terms and conditions, as set out at http://www.hotels.com
For more information please contact:
Frank PR on +44(0)20-7693-6999 or email hotels.com@frankpr.it
Or Laura Watts, lwatts@expedia.com +44(0)20-7019-2761
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