OPERATORS
have denied the bombs that rocked Madrid this morning will affect consumers’
long-term confidence in Spain.
More than
170 people have died in the attacks and more than 500 injured after five bombs
ripped apart commuter trains heading for Atocha station in the south of the
city.
While the
trade conceded short-term confidence would be hit, operators insisted people
will still travel to the country.
An ABTA
spokesman said: “More than 10 million people travelled to Spain last year and
we expect a similar number to travel again.”
Cresta head
of sales and marketing Jane Williams said none of its customers were caught up
in the blast.
Thomson
Holidays claimed bookings to Spain are down on last year because of the
strength of the euro. A spokesman said: “It may affect bookings in the near
future, but the public is resilient.”
Spanish
tourist board director Manuel Butler said: “We are absolutely devastated.” A
statement said the Spanish Tourist Office was “shocked and grieved” by the news.
In
February terrorist group ETA warned it would extend its campaign to Spanish
tourist areas all year round. But ETA denied it was involved in the attacks.
The FCO said travellers should remain vigilant in
public places, including tourists areas, but said the vast majority of visits
to Spain are trouble-free.