Uncertainty looms over the implementation of Spain’s new Traveler Data Registry, scheduled to take effect on December 2. Following two delays, the Senate has approved a motion by the People’s Party (PP) calling for an indefinite suspension of the Registry and urging the government to use this time to draft regulations in collaboration with representatives of the tourism sector. The motion passed with 153 votes in favor, 103 against, and 6 abstentions.
The Registry, established under Royal Decree 933/2021 to enhance controls in the tourism sector, has been deemed “disproportionate and unfeasible” according to Senator Agustín Almodóbar, who voiced the concerns raised by the industry.
During the debate, Almodóbar emphasized the need for a review of the measure to avoid undermining Spain’s competitiveness and imposing an unsustainable administrative burden on the sector. The decree requires accommodation providers, car rental companies, and other tourism services to collect and send up to 42 personal data points about travelers -including phone numbers and banking details – to the Ministry of the Interior. Non-compliance could result in fines of up to €30,000, placing a heavy bureaucratic load on businesses.
According to the Spanish Camping Federation (FEEC), this level of data collection infringes on fundamental privacy rights and risks tarnishing Spain’s image as a tourist destination. The Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodations (CEHAT) echoed these concerns, stating that the decree violates several EU data protection directives, exposing operators to lawsuits from travelers and threatening the sector’s competitiveness.
Criticism has also been directed at the Spanish government for its lack of communication and transparency. The administration has been unresponsive to repeated requests for clarification from industry associations. In light of the Senate vote, hopes are growing that the government might reconsider the measure. Both FEEC and CEHAT stress the urgent need to suspend the decree’s implementation and initiate a dialogue with the tourism sector to agree on regulations that strike a balance between control measures and the rights of travelers while maintaining Spain’s competitive edge as a tourist destination.
Photo by RDNE Stock
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