On August 17 and 18 two attacks occurred within just a few hours of one another, both involving vehicles driven directly at pedestrians. A total of 13 people were killed in the popular Las Ramblas area of Barcelona and another elsewhere in the city. One woman also died as a result of an attack in Cambrils, near the seaside town of Salou.
So-called Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
It came just weeks after a group of Spanish activists calling themselves Arran held a number of violent protests across Spain, claiming tourism was destroying the country’s cities.
While both short trips operator Super Break and tickets specialist Attraction World saw “a handful of cancellations” immediately after last week’s attacks, the outlook for Spain from the trade remains positive.
Asked whether he thought the attacks would have an impact on bookings for Spain and city breaks more generally, Graham Balmforth, national sales manager at Super Break, said: “It really is too early to say as our short breaks products tend to only book a few months out, but what we do know is that the British traveller is resilient and generally continues to travel… People will always want to travel to major cities in the world and I am sure this will continue.”
Nick Hughes, sales and marketing director at Attraction World, added: “Our mainland Spain sales are still fairly strong; there was no immediate slump… the UK traveller is fairly resilient and I don’t see this latest atrocity impacting the city break market greatly.”
Patrick Millar, marketing manager at Kirker Holidays, also reported no cancellations or advice sought by customers as a result of the attacks.
“We’re confident that bookings for Spain will continue with the very strong year they have had so far,” he said, adding: “There is no sign of a diminished appetite for short breaks.
“Many clients have now come to terms with the fact that indiscriminate attacks can, do and will happen, and there is no safe destination.”
Steve Cox, regional sales manager at Premier Travel, which has 21 branches, echoed the defiant sentiment.
“Spain is one of our most popular destinations and I don’t believe the recent events in Barcelona will impact on sales to the country,” he said.
Three cruise ships were in Barcelona on the day of the attacks but all guests boarded safely before the departure.
