Thursday, June 26, 2008

Argentina To Consider Tourism-Boosting Public Holidays Change

Sources: Misiones Online (Buenos Aires) and Argentina public holidays (qppstudio.net). A draft law is being considered by the Parliament of Argentina (Cámara de Diputados) which would have for effect to make all public holidays in Argentina remain on the fixed date that they commemorate. Each regions, including the Capital Territory of Buenos Aires would then have the possibility of declaring a holiday the Monday preceding a Tuesday public holiday, and the Friday following a Thursday public holiday. This would, in effect, mean a return to the situation that existed before the reforms of the 1990's.

Reacting to the above draft law, the president of the regional association of the AMHBRA (Asociación Misionera de Hoteles, Bares, Restaurantes y Afines) trade group representing tourism-related industries, Desiré Vogth, said that if the law making all public holidays immovable were to pass, then she would lobby for the creation of one long week-end per month.

Currently, in Argentina, some holidays, such as April 2, are immovable, while some move from Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays to the following Monday, and the last 2 are set as the 3rd Monday of June and August.