Spain train crash: 15 foreign dead, tourism fears
Fifteen foreign nationals are among those killed in a train crash at Urda, in Spain’s Toledo province: on Wednesday, tourism chief Carlos Garrido warns that the disaster is damaging the country’s reputation as a safe destination. Garrido, president of the Mesa del Turismo de España, calls for a plan to improve rail safety and invest in infrastructure.
Longer trips may be affected
Garrido says it is too early to measure any effect on bookings. But travellers from Asia, North America and Latin America may reconsider trips, he warns. They often stay longer and visit several places in Spain, making rail travel part of their plans. Annual booking figures from tour operators should give a clearer picture, he says.
Fears over Madrid–Barcelona trains
Garrido also warns about a possible prolonged closure of the Madrid–Barcelona high-speed line for major renewal work. The route has more than 60 services a day across its operators and carries 14.4 million travellers a year. He says a closure would hurt business travel, conferences, hotels, restaurants and other businesses, while flights could not carry everyone displaced from the trains.
He wants public authorities and the private sector to work together on safety and investment. He also calls for stronger air and road alternatives when rail services are disrupted.
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com