UK tourists face 'chaotic' new rules in Spain in a matter of days
Spanish tourism laws are set for a shake-up in a matter of days with hotel bosses warning over "chaos and confusion". The new rules come into force on October 1, so little more than a week to go.
Now, UK tourists touching down in Spain will need to fork over a plethora of new information to their "landlord", that's to say a hotel, or any holiday lodging. Spanish hotels, travel firms along with vehicle hire businesses are expected to record up to 18 additional particulars regarding travellers, according to the recently minted government mandate poised to start on Tuesday, October 1.
Announced months back by the Spanish authorities, the directive includes a laundry list of details to be gathered, such as payment ways, contract specifics, home addresses, personal mobile numbers and email contacts of guests.
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Yet Spanish accommodation providers argue there's been radio silence since, even after endless pleas for clarity. They flag the gathering of sensitive guest information as potentially unlawful and riddled with challenges, specifically highlighting resources needed to manage this task.
The Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation (CEHAT), echoing concerns across more than 16,000 venues providing some 1.8 million beds nation-wide, has sounded off to top-tier tourism and interior ministers, alongside police chiefs and the Civil Guard looking for policy revisions. A spokesperson from CEHAT voiced the sector's predicament: "There is widespread confusion regarding what data is required and how to submit it.
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"It is impossible to automate the process and it would involve additional and disproportionate manual work for establishments and a considerable increase in errors."
A Royal Decree issued earlier this year suggested a subsequent ministerial order would clarify the data required from each tourism sub-sector. However, hoteliers have complained that the necessary legislation does not exist, causing widespread confusion about the required information.
A spokesperson for CEHAT stated: "The hotel sector, which has always collaborated with the State Security Forces and Corps, was surprised to find that it had to provide unofficial data that does not appear in any of the documents carried by travellers (ID and passport) such as payment method, credit card numbers, and mobile phone number."
The industry group argued that the Royal Decree implies a significant interference in tourists' privacy rights, as it lacks clear safeguards to limit mass data collection.
They stated: "The obligations imposed by the Royal Decree place Spanish companies, or those operating in Spain, at a clear disadvantage compared to competitors in other EU countries that do not have similar regulations."
Maria Frontera, president of the Mallorcan Federation of Hoteliers, told iNews: "We demand that the government changes and reforms these rules and delays their enforcement until we have reached an agreement."
Spain's Interior Ministry has confirmed that the introduction of the new regulations had been postponed several times to allow the tourism industry time to prepare the tourism industry.
The regulations aim to safeguard the public from terrorism and organised crime, according to a ministry spokesperson.
The Interior Ministry spokesperson stated: "The regulation respects the principle of efficiency, proportionality, judicial security and transparency."
"It is justified for the general interest for the security of citizens against the threat of terrorism and other serious offences committed by criminal organisations."
CEHAT claimed that their establishments lacked the necessary technology to comply with the registration requirements.