“Britons are more worried about the weather than terrorism” says Abta

PALMA
THE Association of British Travel Agents, Abta, yesterday denied that British package holiday makers are either cancelling their bookings for Majorca or opting for other destinations because of last week's Palmanova car bomb which claimed the lives of two members of the Guardia Civil.

Abta's Communications Officer, Sean Tipton, told the Bulletin that, in general, British holiday bookings to the Balearics are ten percent lower than last summer because of the economic climate and, while admitting that the decline “is not brilliant”, he denied that Britons are cancelling bookings or staying away from the region because of last week's suspected ETA car bomb. “Right now, Britons are more worried about the weather than the bomb attack,” he said.

“The British met. office was last week forced to admit they got their forecasts for July wrong and most of the country is desperate to get away from the nonstop rain, despite the met. office now forecasting a dry and warm August. Most people are no longer prepared to take the gamble,” Tipton explained. “What is more, the British media are starting to run more favourable reports about holidaying in the euro zone, admitting that it is no longer that expensive and this is only going to help business,” he added.