Football fans hit Portugal bookings

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.”