Bali bombings fail to deter holidaymakers
The Bali bombings have not deterred people from travelling abroad, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) said today.
Speaking from the Association’s conference in Cairo, chief executive Ian Reynolds said the industry recovered quickly after the events of September 11 last year.
There was not yet any sign of a fresh down-turn following the Bali terror attacks, Mr Reynolds said.
“It is a little bit early to say,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
“But so far those people who were due to go to the Philippines, to Bali, have readily accepted other destinations, typically in south- east Asia, Malaysia, Singapore.
“So we don’t see any significant down-turn in travel bookings.
“People still seem determined to get away for their winter breaks and are still booking next summer’s holidays.”
Any down-turn that did emerge should be short-lived, according to Mr Reynolds.
“Certainly after September 11 we saw a significant downturn in activity and bookings for the future,” he said.
“But there was a very quick recovery. Within three months bookings were picking up.
“We will probably finish this year 5% down or so, which considering all the events we have witnessed is a remarkable recovery.”
