Industry condemns Madrid terrorist attacks

Yesterday’s devastating terrorist attacks in Madrid have been strongly condemned by the World Tourism Organisation. The 13 co-ordinated explosions at three railway stations in the Spanish capital during rush hour left almost 200 dead and 1,400 injured. The attacks are thought to be the work of terrorist group ETA who last month renewed a threat to attack Spanish tourism. However, Al-Qa’ida has not been ruled out. It was the worst terrorist tragedy on the European mainland and came within weeks of ETA renewing a threat to attack the Spanish tourism industry in 2004. WTO secretary general Francesco Frangialli said it was with “immense consternation” that he heard of the bombings. Expressing his condolences in the wake of the bombings, Mr Frangialli said: “I shall not miss the opportunity to condemn this latest terrorist attack committed in the public transport system. The WTO expresses its solidarity with Spain at this time.” The WTO boss was speaking at a tourism show in Paris prior to attending the opening ceremony of German trade show ITB in Berlin next week. A statement on the ABTA website reads: “We give our sympathy to the Spanish people for their sad loss today. Tourists are not advised to cancel or delay their plans to travel to Spain, but as always we urge people to be vigilant at all times. “ETA have made many threats to bring harm to tourists but their attacks are generally against the Spanish authorities. No British tourists have been seriously injured by any of the ETA attacks in recent years; however, we recommend that holidaymakers remain vigilant.” ABTA’s Keith Betton is also quoted in The Guardian as saying: “If it turns out to be the work of someone else, perhaps al-Qaida, then it is likely to have less impact. Everyone feels under threat from them all the time, everywhere.” The Foreign and Commonwealth Office website, at www.fco.gov.uk/travel, reads: The Foreign Office said: “No terrorist group has yet claimed responsibility, although the Spanish government suspects ETA involvement. Whilst you should be vigilant in public places, there is no indication that British nationals were targeted. Travellers should be aware that terrorists have previously targeted Spanish trains. “You should be alert to the activities of the Basque terrorist group ETA who recently renewed their threat to attack the Spanish tourist industry in 2004. There is a general threat in Spain to Western, including British, targets from terrorism. You should therefore remain vigilant in public places, including tourist sites. But the vast majority of visits to Spain are trouble-free.” Spain attracted more than 16 million UK visitors last year, a 10% rise over 2002. Report by Phil Davies