23rd Mar 2011 - 00:00
Abstract
Following the Government’s recent announcement that the May Day bank holiday could be replaced by a ‘St. George’s Day’ bank holiday in April or a ‘Trafalgar Day’ in October, a brand new TripAdvisor poll reveals almost half of Brits want the May Day holiday to remain as it is.
In a poll of over 4,000 Britons, 43% would like the May Day bank holiday left as it is. A third (36%) support replacing it with a Trafalgar Day in October, while only a fifth (18%) support replacing it with a St. George's Day public holiday in April. The proposed move is a controversial one - May Day has been a national holiday in the UK since 1978. The Government's proposal for a replacement is intended to lengthen the tourist season into the autumn. If the change is approved, the new bank holiday schedule will likely take effect in 2013. Emma O'Boyle, a TripAdvisor spokesperson said: "May Day has been a popular British holiday for over 30 years and many people plan holidays and family days out around this. It is understandable why some may oppose the change, but replacing it with a Trafalgar Day in October would certainly help extend the British tourist season and break up the long period between the August bank holiday and Christmas."