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SPANISH TOWN TRIES TO TEMPT TOURISTS BACK AFTER BRIT MURDER
Contributor / 2009-09-07 16:38:12
The Spanish resort where Stephen Mallon, 49, was hurled from a balcony outside a disco in Competa, near Malaga, and later lost his fight for life has launched a campaign to try and win back tourists.
The town of Competa has since experienced a visitor slump but last week the village began a PR offensive in English-language newspapers including full-page colour adverts show an elderly man gazing at the mountain retreat under the strapline: "Competa, a place to stay." The assault was blamed on a lynch mob who it is thought simply targeted the dad because he was British.
A tourist board spokesperson said: "Many headlines associated with the tragedy implied that outsiders were not welcome in the village and this was behind what happened but we hope that these adverts will show that the village as a warm and welcoming place to visit and stay.
Stephen, from Glasgow, owned a holiday home near the village and the roofing boss and his family had been celebrating a birthday at a pub.
After the attack on June 6th he was left in a coma. His wife Teresa, 40, and his 17-year-old twin sons staged a vigil at his bedside until his life-support machine was turned off. Police have so far arrested 15 people, including a woman.
Tags: Tourism
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