'MODERATE OPTIMISM' AT TOURISM FAIR

Madrid, Friday January 22 2010

Mr Bermúdez (right) meeting Viajes El Corte Ingles CEO Jesús Nuño

TENERIFE Cabildo vice-president José Manuel Bermúdez on Friday cautiously predicted good prospects for the tourism industry next season.

by JAMES TWEEDIE

Speaking at the International Tourism Fair (FITUR) in Madrid, he said: "The forecast of the biggest tour operators and airlines make us moderately optimistic and give us hope and confidence that the current tourism situation can begin its recovery during this year.”

Tenerife's delegation to FITUR – led by Mr Bermúdez and Cabildo president Ricardo Melchior – had sought to maintain airline links to the island.

Mr Bermúdez said that major airlines and tour operators "plan to not only maintain but to increase their capacity for this summer, by around 20 per cent in some cases."

He stressed: "We have to have guaranteed flights if tourists want to come.

“We have the best access by air, so that tourists who decide to come to the island have the opportunity to choose what suits them best, from a low-cost airline to a scheduled flight in first class."

But the vice-president added: "We must be cautious and wait to see how these estimates translate into good sales.”

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