Spanish ‘Big Brother’ Tourist Law Sparks Controversy
Get ready for extra paperwork if you’re heading to Spain anytime soon. Starting Monday, tourists will face a legal obligation to provide a raft of personal information to hotels and car rental companies, sparking fear among
travelers of intrusive data collection and potential travel chaos.
These new regulations, which the government claims are necessary for anti-terrorism and crime initiatives, are thought to be the strictest in the European Union.
Under the new rules, travelers will be required to provide a hefty 43 pieces of personal data when booking accommodations or rental vehicles, both during the initial reservation process and again upon arrival.
This data includes contact details, familial relationships, bank card information, and home addresses. Those who don’t comply risk hefty fines of €30,000 (£25,000).
## The Big Brother Effect?
The drastic measures have drawn considerable criticism from travel operators who argue that the procedures will lead to prolonged waiting times, especially during peak seasons. Catiana Tur, director of Acave, one of Spain’s principal travel agency associations, likened the system to a real-life “Big Brother” scenario:
“At present, presenting your passport at a hotel suffices,” Tur said. “But now all this extra information is required: how you paid, your address, your email address,
basically everything. These regulations seem doomed to create delays and could even discourage people from visiting.”
Similar sentiments have been echoed by Jorge Marichal, president of Cehat, Spain’s largest hoteliers’ association:
“People who travel to Spain expect to enjoy themselves, not get bogged down in
cumbersome administrative procedures that jeopardize their privacy,” he said. ”This isn’t just causing uncertainty for tourists and the industry itself,
it’s putting our reputation as a tourist destination at risk.”Cehat has
initiated legal action against the new law, citing concerns that the requirements clash with European data protection regulations.
The association also emphasizes
the vital role of tourism, which contributes 12% to Spain’s overall annual GDP,
and warns that these
new regulations could severely impact tourism revenue.
Despite the delay the official implementation of the decree – delayed several times over the past three years – tourism associations claim they’ve only interacted with the government one time concerning their objections.
Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Spain’s Minister of the Interior, reassured the public in October that the regulations achieve a balance between privacy and societal protection: “These insults everyone’s privacy. . . . my task is to maintain security,” Marichal said in response to critics.
¬ “We need to remember that 17.2 million Britons chose Spain as their holiday destination last year, which makes them the largest group of inbound visitors.
Will they return knowing
their personal data might be shared on a platform used by security forces? This great question is being asked right now. We are hopeful that a sensible dialog with the government will ultimately result in a satisfactory solution for all,” Marichal concluded.
What are the concerns of the travel industry regarding Spain’s new tourist regulations?
## Interview: Spain’s Controversial Tourist Law
**Host:** Joining us today to discuss Spain’s new tourist regulations is Catiana Tur, director of Acave, one of Spain’s leading travel agency associations. Catiana, welcome to the program.
**Catiana Tur:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** For our viewers who might not be aware, Spain has implemented a new law requiring tourists to provide a significant amount of personal data to hotels and car rental companies. Can you elaborate on what this entails?
**Catiana Tur:** Absolutely. Starting October 1st, tourists will be required to provide 43 pieces of personal information, including contact details, family relationships, bank card information, and home addresses. This applies both during the initial booking process and upon arrival. [[1](https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2024/09/20/spains-controversial-big-brother-law-for-tourists-will-come-into-force-within-days-heres-what-we-know/)]
**Host:** That’s quite a lot of information. What’s the rationale behind these regulations?
**Catiana Tur:** The Spanish government states these measures are crucial for anti-terrorism and crime prevention. However, many in the travel industry, including myself, believe these regulations are excessive and create a “Big Brother” scenario.
**Host:** “Big Brother” is a strong term. Could you elaborate on why you believe these regulations are excessive?
**Catiana Tur:** At present, showing your passport at a hotel is sufficient. Now, this extensive data collection is demanded. It seems unnecessary and raises concerns about data privacy and potential misuse.
**Host:** You’ve mentioned concerns within the travel industry. What are the primary worries?
**Catiana Tur:** We fear significant travel delays, particularly during peak season. Processing this volume of information will likely lead to longer wait times at hotels and car rental counters, negatively impacting the tourist experience.
**Host:** What’s your message to the Spanish government and to travelers concerned about these new regulations?
**Catiana Tur:** We urge the government to reconsider these demanding regulations and find a more balanced approach. To travelers, be aware of these requirements and ensure you have all the necessary documents and information prepared to avoid potential issues.
**Host:** Thank you for sharing your insights with us, Catiana.
**Catiana Tur:** My pleasure.