As of Monday, a new law comes into effect in Spain mandating hotel owners and car rental companies to submit extensive personal information about their customers to the government. This regulation, aimed at enhancing national security, has raised alarms over possible delays at check-in and privacy violations. Tourists and locals alike will need to provide sensitive data such as passport numbers, home addresses, and payment methods if they are 14 years or older. The Ministry of the Interior will collect this information, which must be reported daily by businesses and retained for three years. The hotel industry, represented by the Confederation of Spanish Hoteliers and Tourist Accommodation (CEHAT), has criticized the regulations as potentially hazardous to business operations, expressing intentions to legally contest the new measures. With Spain being the second most-visited country in Europe, concerns about the impact on tourism are significant, particularly amid ongoing discussions around national security.
Spain's New Data Rules May Cause Check-In Delays for Tourists
Spain's New Data Rules May Cause Check-In Delays for Tourists
New regulations requiring hotels and rental businesses to collect more personal data from guests prompt concerns over potential delays and privacy issues.
The shift to these new regulations follows a postponement from their initial start date of October 1 to December 2, aimed at allowing the tourism sector ample time for compliance. The rules will apply not just to hotels but also to rental properties and campsites, effectively imposing a nationwide data collection framework. Tourists will additionally be required to share their phone numbers and email addresses. There are considerable penalties for non-compliance, with fines ranging from €100 to €30,000 (£80 to £25,000).
Airbnb has also indicated that property owners will need to register with the Spanish government and gather customer data, adding another layer of responsibility for the rental sector.
Supporters of the law argue it is necessary for public safety, as articulated by the Ministry of the Interior, which emphasizes a need to monitor who is staying in Spain to counteract organized crime and potential terrorist threats. However, the CEHAT has been vocal in its opposition, describing the process as burdensome and detrimental to the customer experience.
Experts in the travel sector, such as journalist Simon Calder, have noted that the government’s intent is to keep tabs on visitors and their whereabouts but acknowledged that this could lead to longer wait times at hotel receptions. Industry voices express their hope that many accommodation providers will streamline data collection efforts through online processes, thus alleviating some burdens during busy registration periods.
Travel content creator Penelope Bielckus from The Flyaway Girl blog echoed these sentiments, stating the new requirements could slow down check-in, complicating the holiday experience when relaxation is a priority. While noting that the changes feel more stringent than in other destinations, she acknowledged that much of the required data is already typically collected through existing channels.
As the deadlines approach, the impact of Spain's new regulations on last-minute bookings and overall travel logistics remains to be seen, with stakeholders urging continuous monitoring of the situation as it unfolds.
Airbnb has also indicated that property owners will need to register with the Spanish government and gather customer data, adding another layer of responsibility for the rental sector.
Supporters of the law argue it is necessary for public safety, as articulated by the Ministry of the Interior, which emphasizes a need to monitor who is staying in Spain to counteract organized crime and potential terrorist threats. However, the CEHAT has been vocal in its opposition, describing the process as burdensome and detrimental to the customer experience.
Experts in the travel sector, such as journalist Simon Calder, have noted that the government’s intent is to keep tabs on visitors and their whereabouts but acknowledged that this could lead to longer wait times at hotel receptions. Industry voices express their hope that many accommodation providers will streamline data collection efforts through online processes, thus alleviating some burdens during busy registration periods.
Travel content creator Penelope Bielckus from The Flyaway Girl blog echoed these sentiments, stating the new requirements could slow down check-in, complicating the holiday experience when relaxation is a priority. While noting that the changes feel more stringent than in other destinations, she acknowledged that much of the required data is already typically collected through existing channels.
As the deadlines approach, the impact of Spain's new regulations on last-minute bookings and overall travel logistics remains to be seen, with stakeholders urging continuous monitoring of the situation as it unfolds.
