The Romanian Government recently decided to grant two extra days off, on May 2 and 3, after the official Labor Day on May 1 - already a national holiday - and before Orthodox Easter. May 1 will be on a Wednesday, and the following Thursday and Friday will also be free days for public employees. This will create a long vacation, as Orthodox Romanians celebrate Easter on May 5 this year.

The change was lobbied for by tourism associations keen for the sector to cash-in from the extra long weekend, as Romanians usually flock to tourism resorts around May 1, but the outcome may not live up to their expectations, as the bulk of tourists work in the private sector. Romania has around 1.2 million workers in its public sector, while the total number of workers in Romania's economy was estimated at some 6.6 million end 2011, including the black market workers.

The beginning of May is traditionally the kick off season on the Romanian seaside, with many tourists choosing to spend May 1 in one of the resorts, even if the weather is not yet very warm.

With 11 public holidays a year, Romanians are around the middle in the world rankings and could soon have an extra day, following parliamentary approval of Saint Andrew's day as a national holiday, which is likely to be enforced in 2013. Romanians are free on January 1 and 2, have two free days on Easter, on May 1 for Labor Day, on June 3 and 4 for Rusalii (also a religious holiday), on August 15 for the celebration of St. Mary, on December 1- the National Day and on December 25 and 26.

editor@romania-insider.com