AFTA update
From AFTA’s chief executive, Jayson Westbury
SADLY, tragically and fatally, terror has once again struck in Europe. This time in Barcelona, Spain, on Las Ramblas Promenade, a busy and highly visited tourist street. The weapon being a van and the gutless terrorists using it to inflict the maximum amount of harm they could. But this time, this act of terror has come with significant implications for Australia as we have several citizens injured and the death of another in this attack in Spain.
The sadness of this is deep as the loss of a life is something that makes us stop, but the loss of a child is even more heart wrenching given that he was so young, just seven years of age. It is inconceivable that a seven- year old boy from Australia could be taken in this way.
For me personally, as someone who does travel in and out of Europe a great deal and a father of young children, it is difficult to reconcile this disgraceful act of terror in a place of peace and happiness like Barcelona. As has often been the case with previous terror attacks, this one has also been carried out in the middle of a busy tourist area and for no reason other than causing injury to innocent bystanders.
Terrorism is such a disgraceful blight on our modern society & I am sure the Spanish and Australian authorities will do all they can to hunt these people down. As the Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said, “This is an atrocity and the Australian Government condemns this brutal and deliberate act clearly designed to harm tourists on holidays in Spain”.
At this time, I am sure that everyone in the Australian travel industry is thinking about the family and friends of those who remain injured and in hospital and of course for the family of the young boy who has lost his life. It is always a difficult time for the travel industry as clients and the media turn to us for our opinions and advice.
The Federal Government has opened its crisis hub response unit which provides current and updated details and advice, you can access this online - CLICK HERE. As with all of these situations, it is best to maintain a watch of the available information and hope and pray that terror does not strike again anytime soon.