Skift Take
Tourism gets a huge boost as a result, as Argentines take full advantage of their generous holiday policy and ample geographical bounties.
Oh, how lovely it is this weekend to be Argentine — able to take a mini-vacation to the mountains or the sea, or simply relax at home for three days, blissfully enjoying yet another new government benefit: More paid national holidays this year than nearly every other country in the world.
Thousands of Argentines began spilling out of the capital Friday night to make the most of the long weekend, which congress approved just three weeks ago. Monday's Sept. 24th holiday makes for a total of 19 national paid holidays this year. Only Colombia comes close in Latin America, with 18.
[caption id="attachment_24512" align="alignright" width="560"] Tourists play on a mountain in San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina, Friday, Sept. 21, 2012. Thousands of Argentines began enjoying Friday to make the most of the long weekend, which lawmakers approved just three weeks ago. Monday's Sept. 24th holiday makes for a total of 19 national paid holidays this year. Only Colombia comes close in Latin America, with 18. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)[/caption]
Many other countries don't extend such benefits to all workers nationwide, according to a 62-nation survey published last year by Mercer Human Resources Consulting. For example, Lebanon has 21 bank holidays, celebrating two Easters and two Good Fridays honoring different religions, but only government and financial sector workers can count on getting paid
