employment and work patterns have seen considerable shifts over the last 30 years, and these will continue to influence tourism activities. Working conditions are increasingly regulated by legislation. Throughout Europe paid holiday entitlement has risen, and is generous compared with that in the USA. More professionals are taking early retirement, with good company pension. Working practices such as flexi-time mean that workers can more easily create 'long weekend'. However, whilst in general holiday entitlements have become more generous, many workers find they are working harder and longer then ever. The era of'a job for life' has gone, nationalized and public sector industries are increasingly becoming 'privatized' and the risk of job loss exists for many employees.