AGENTS are selling away from Portugal as customers
raise concerns over an influx of football fans for Euro 2004.
As Travel Weekly went to press England were about to
face Switzerland in a crucial match.
Two nights of hooliganism in the resort of Albufeira –
mainly attributed to England fans – have dominated the headlines and put some
holidaymakers off.
Anthony Goddard, owner of Plymouth-based Peter Goord
Travel, said reports of England fans clashing with police had affected
bookings.
“If you mention the Algarve people say there is no way
they will go, I suppose because there are lots of football fans there.”
Boston Spa-based Spa Travel consultant
Jan Cole said: “We have steered clients away from booking that area,
particularly older couples.”
However, some agents told Travel Weekly they are
anticipating a surge in demand from football fans if England go through to the
quarter finals tonight.
Ickenham Travel Uxbridge branch manager Nicola Covacic
said there could be a boom if England qualify due to the amount of capacity for
Portugal in the lates market.
“We do not want negative feedback [from leisure
customers] so we’re playing it safe and directing them to destinations such as
the Balearics or Corsica instead.”
Association of Tour Operators to Portugal chairman
Gary David admitted he is concerned about the reports and said holidaymakers
would struggle to avoid fans. “It’s difficult to get it right. If the
Portuguese stop trouble you get headlines about heavy-handed policing.”
Despite having 1,500 holidaymakers in the Albufeira
region, Thomas Cook said it had not had any complaints from customers – as did
MyTravel.
Portuguese Tourist Office
director José António Preto da Silva said: “More than 100,000 tourists are
staying in Portugal during Euro 2004 and the incidents in Albufeira involve
fewer than 300 people.”