The Transport Industry (trains, planes, buses, taxis, rickshaws &c.) have always had their busiest times when most folk want to have time off and enjoy themselves. Also Public Houses, Hotels, Cinemas, Theatres, Holiday Camps, Swimming Pools, Adventure Parks, Blackpool Tower Lifts &c. are all active at these times and employ loads of people.
Since recent changes, large stores and retail parks open on Sundays and Holiday Mondays meaning that even more workers do not take a holiday on these days. I have been involved somewhere in this overflowing list of enterprises that cater for others at times when they want the goods and services almost since leaving Uni. It seems to me that it is a curious minority that can expect to have holidays on these so called special days. I am happy to take my time off at times when there is less crush and clamour and prices are a bit more realistic.
Someone else will probably wax lyrical about the introduction of "Bank Holidays" being an enlightened social reform when employees only got time off for death (their own!).