The effects of the 4-day work week on tourism

Alicia Vicente/ felicesvacaciones.es - The possibility of implementing a 4-day work week in Spain is generating a great deal of debate in society and the business community. This measure, which has already been successfully tested in countries such as the United Kingdom and Germany, promises to transform the way we work, but could also have a significant impact on the tourism industry.

According to a study carried out by the portal felicesvacaciones.es, 62% of respondents said they would take advantage of long weekends to take short trips, especially to domestic destinations. "Having an extra day off encourages many people to seek experiences outside their city, which would translate into an increase in demand for accommodation, restaurants and leisure activities," the agency points out.

What impact would it have on productivity?

In countries such as the United Kingdom, where one of the most ambitious studies on the 4-day workweek has been carried out, the results were conclusive: 78% of the companies that participated in the pilot program decided not to return to the 5-day model. The reasons included increased productivity, greater job satisfaction and a reduction in stress-related absences.
If it were approved in Spain, similar benefits could be experienced. The idea is that, with greater efficiency at work, employees would achieve the same goals in less time, which would allow them to dedicate more hours to rest and leisure. This, in turn, would favor family reconciliation and the mental health of the working population.

A boost for national tourism

The main benefits of this reform could be national tourist destinations. 3-day getaways would become a common option for thousands of families and groups of friends who previously did not have the possibility of enjoying a long weekend.

According to data from felicesvacaciones.es, the most popular destinations for weekend getaways are cultural cities such as Granada, Seville or Bilbao, as well as natural enclaves in the mountains or coastal areas. "An increase in demand for this type of getaway would boost the local economy, with positive effects on the hospitality industry, rural hotels and transport," the platform points out.

In fact, some companies in the tourism sector are already preparing promotions aimed at those who can enjoy these "mini bridges" every week. The creation of 3-day packages could become a key trend for 2025.

How would the business sector react?

The implementation of the 4-day work week poses certain challenges for companies. Although it has been shown that productivity is not negatively affected, some SMEs could have difficulty adapting to the new model, especially in sectors where the continuous presence of workers is essential.

However, many technology companies, consultancies and startups have already experimented with this model. Spanish companies such as Desigual have announced that they will continue with the 4-day workday after a trial period with positive results.

For the tourism sector, the reduction in working hours could mean a "boom" in demand, but it would also require adjustments to the availability of services, especially on weekends. Management of hotel occupancy and attention to catering will be key to not saturating the available supply.

Although it is not yet known whether it will ever be implemented in Spain, the international trend indicates that it is a measure with increasing support. Both workers and the tourism sectors are paying attention to regulatory changes, as it could represent a great opportunity.