The terrorist attacks on Majorca are unlikely to have a long or major short-term effect on tourism in Spain and on the Balearic Islands.
According to UK travel agents, Britons appear to have taken to heart reassurances issued by the Spanish government after the most recent bombings on August 9 and are refusing to let the attacks interfere with their holidays plans.
Twickenham-based Edwin Doran’s Travel World director Rosie Doran was making a booking to the island when she received the ABTA alert about the explosions, but the news did not deter her customers.
“The absence of casualties has helped, but I think people know these incidents are going on all over the world and if they let this put them off they could end up being afraid to go anywhere,” she said.
BawtryTravel director Katherine Doyle reported a similar response from her customers in Doncaster.
“I met two clients at the weekend who had just returned from Majorca and they jokingly said, ‘what were you doing sending us to a war zone?’
“Of course, customers know it is serious but they also think it could happen anywhere, it could happen in London.”
Devon-based Somewhere2travelwith director Diane Denney agreed. “I’ve just been speaking to someone on the phone and they didn’t mind when I suggested it as a destination. Most people are getting philosophical and taking a sensible view.”
But The Travel Professionals, Cobham, Surrey retail director Joy Ware said: “We did have some clients who wouldn’t even consider it as a destination, so it has had some impact on late bookings, although we do have someone going tomorrow and others on Saturday who haven’t cancelled.”
A statement issued by the government of the Balearic Islands on the day of the Palma bombing may have helped instil confidence in travellers. It said the low power of the devices suggested the terrorist objective was “not to cause direct damage to people”.
It went on to say despite increased security on the islands both the airport and the rest of the infrastructure would continue to run normally, so tourists and visitors can continue without changes to their holiday plans.
Security and Spanish political experts also agree the attacks will not have a long-term impact on tourism.
What the academics say
London School of Economics professor of contemporary Spanish studies Sebastian Balfour said the Basque separatist group ETA, believed to be responsible for the bombings, is down to a handful of activists thanks to the joint actions of the Spanish and French police and the judiciary.
“They appear to be split between those who advocate political action (some of these are in jail and others belong to newly proscribed political organisations) and those who believe more can be achieved through violence.
“So any escalation of terrorism is very doubtful and indeed, it is possible that ETA might simply fold at some time in the future, though it would be rash to guess how soon,” said Balfour.
Bradford University centre for European studies Dr Roberto Espíndola agreed there was no reason to expect attacks to escalate on the island.
“ETA is not in a boom period and quite a lot of its demands have been met by giving the Basque Country its own police and degree of self regulation.”
He admitted there are other small groups in the region such as those who want to fight capitalism or want independence for the Basque Country – a desire that is unrealistic and lacking ground support, he said.
“Even though they may be small groups they can still cause damage and they can scare people off. But, by that principle, people could end up being scared to go anywhere.
“Spain is still a very popular country. In fact more people in Britain are now learning Spanish than German and part of the reason is because of the holiday connection.
“I don’t see this as something that will escalate. Basque is economically successful and they have enough instruments of self-governance in place in the region to satisfy demands,” said Espíndola.