Bookings hit

Last minute holiday bookings to Majorca will be hit by the coach drivers strike, that's according to spokesman for the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) Keith Betton. “As far as I know there have been no actual holiday cancellations; remember that when holidaymakers cancel, they lose their money, but people who are planning to book, may not,” he said yesterday afternoon. This sounds like another blow for the island after grim predictions throughout the tourist industry that Majorca is losing its appeal as a holiday destination. It is obviously still a dangerous time for the Balearics. There are continuing rumours of more protests and although coach drivers claim they will not close down the airport again, the British media is poised to expose any hint that last weekend's debacle may repeat itself. “If a second strike goes ahead, bearing in mind that Balearic holidays are often booked at the last minute, then it is obviously hardly likely that people will choose to visit Majorca when they know what kind of chaos to expect,” said Betton yesterday. He commented that a further strike would affect two weeks of tourism.