News

BRIDGE Travel has reported a 50% drop in short-break bookings to Madrid following the discovery of a car bomb at the city’s airport.

Basque separatist group ETA, responsible for the bomb, is targeting tourist areas in Spain as part of a summer campaign of terror. During August there was also an explosion in the holiday resort of Salou.

Bridge Travel product director city breaks Jackie Osborne would not give figures but said bookings to Madrid dropped by half compared to the same time last year. However, bookings to its other Spanish short-break destination, Barcelona, have not been affected.

Cresta and Kirker Holidays are still reporting strong sales to Madrid but are advising customers of the latest Foreign Office advice, which warns visitors that the terrorist activity may lead to wider disruption.