LATE bookings to Spain have been dealt a further blow
following the bomb explosion in the popular holiday resort of Salou.
Thomson said bookings have tailed off for mainland Spain
after the attack by the Basque separatist group ETA, which has stepped up its
bombing campaign in tourist areas.
Thomson national sales manager retail Jeanne Lally said: “There
was a 1.5% drop in bookings to Spain, but we would expect that. People are
reluctant to commit to mainland Spain at the moment and those hoping to travel
in the next six weeks are looking at the Balearics, Greece, Turkey and
long-haul destinations.”
Cosmos reported a downturn in late sales for the Costa
Dorada, which is down 50% on the same time last year.
Wirral-based agent Totally Travel Group also reported
customers avoiding the Costa Dorada after ETA’s bomb attack.
Spanish Tourist Office director Manuel Butler said he didn’t
think the latest bomb attack would deter holidaymakers from travelling to the
country.