Tourism experts warn that new data requirements could delay check-in processes and complicate vacation experiences for travelers to Spain.
Spain Enacts New Data Rules for Tourists, Raising Check-In Concerns
Spain Enacts New Data Rules for Tourists, Raising Check-In Concerns
New regulations mandate tourism businesses to collect more personal information from customers, stirring privacy fears.
Spain is set to implement stringent new regulations starting Monday, requiring hotels, car rental agencies, and other tourist accommodation providers to collect and report personal information of guests to the government. Dubbed Royal Decree 933/2021, the legislation aims to bolster national security but has ignited privacy concerns among tourism stakeholders. The law mandates that businesses gather sensitive data, including passport numbers, home addresses, and payment methods for guests aged 14 and older, which must be submitted daily to the Ministry of the Interior.
The Confederation of Spanish Hoteliers and Tourist Accommodation (CEHAT) has raised alarms regarding the potential negative impact on the tourism industry and is contemplating legal avenues to challenge the rules. As the second most-visited country in Europe, with over 82 million tourists in 2023, Spain has delayed the implementation of the law from October 1 to December 2, providing the industry additional time to adapt.
Both foreign tourists and Spanish residents will need to provide their phone numbers, email addresses, and travel group sizes. Each tourism-related business will need to be registered with the Ministry of the Interior and must retain a digital record of collected data for three years, facing fines of €100 to €30,000 for violations. Additionally, platforms like Airbnb have informed property owners that government registration and data collection compliance are now mandatory.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, these regulations are justified to safeguard citizens against serious criminal threats, including terrorism. However, CEHAT argues that such changes could jeopardize the viability of the sector, as they introduce cumbersome administrative processes which may detract from travelers' experiences.
Travel journalist Simon Calder noted that the government is attempting to monitor visitor movements and associated activities amid growing concerns over organized crime. While many businesses are expected to automate data collection to streamline the process, industry insiders anticipate check-in experiences will be prolonged. Pennelope Bielckus, a travel content creator, echoed these concerns, highlighting the extra paperwork as a potential inconvenience during vacations.
As both tourists and local citizens prepare for these changes, the tourism community is watching closely to assess the long-term implications on bookings and operations.
The Confederation of Spanish Hoteliers and Tourist Accommodation (CEHAT) has raised alarms regarding the potential negative impact on the tourism industry and is contemplating legal avenues to challenge the rules. As the second most-visited country in Europe, with over 82 million tourists in 2023, Spain has delayed the implementation of the law from October 1 to December 2, providing the industry additional time to adapt.
Both foreign tourists and Spanish residents will need to provide their phone numbers, email addresses, and travel group sizes. Each tourism-related business will need to be registered with the Ministry of the Interior and must retain a digital record of collected data for three years, facing fines of €100 to €30,000 for violations. Additionally, platforms like Airbnb have informed property owners that government registration and data collection compliance are now mandatory.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, these regulations are justified to safeguard citizens against serious criminal threats, including terrorism. However, CEHAT argues that such changes could jeopardize the viability of the sector, as they introduce cumbersome administrative processes which may detract from travelers' experiences.
Travel journalist Simon Calder noted that the government is attempting to monitor visitor movements and associated activities amid growing concerns over organized crime. While many businesses are expected to automate data collection to streamline the process, industry insiders anticipate check-in experiences will be prolonged. Pennelope Bielckus, a travel content creator, echoed these concerns, highlighting the extra paperwork as a potential inconvenience during vacations.
As both tourists and local citizens prepare for these changes, the tourism community is watching closely to assess the long-term implications on bookings and operations.
