Numerous entities across the travel industry have issued strong statements condemning last week's terror attack in Barcelona, in which a white van sped through the city's Las Ramblas pedestrian district, killing 13 people and injuring 80.
"Spain reacted with impressive resilience to the terrible train attacks on Madrid in 2004," stated Mario Bodini, chairman of the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA). Bodini noted that the country's response to Thursday's attack "underlines the determination for life to carry on as normal."
"Europe in general, and Spain in particular, remains a very safe destination," added Bodini.
ISIS claimed responsibility for the Barcelona attack, which was the country's deadliest since al Qaida-inspired bombers killed 192 people in coordinated attacks on Madrid's commuter trains in 2004, the Associated Press reported.
Las Ramblas, a well-known walking and shopping street in the center of Barcelona, is one of the city's most popular tourist destinations.
"This is again a cowardly attack against all of us and a strong reminder that we need to be united, as an international community, in fighting these forces of darkness and all acts of terror," stated Taleb Rifai, secretary-general of the U.N. World Tourism Organization.
ASTA too condemned the attack, and said it had reached out to its 24 member companies in Spain to offer any assistance needed.
"We hope and pray that the city and country recover quickly from this tragedy," stated ASTA CEO Zane Kerby.
ETOA noted that only the immediately affected areas had been cordoned off by authorities and that public transportation systems in Barcelona were largely unaffected.
The organization also reported that there are some temporary restrictions in place: Las Ramblas is open to visitors subject to police controls, and Plaza Cataluna in Barcelona is only accessible by foot, and without large luggage.