British tourism in Spain is under threat due to the implementation of new safety rules in accommodation, which came into force on December 2nd. These measures require stricter control of tourists' personal data, something that has already generated reactions of discontent in the United Kingdom, the main source market for tourists to Spain.
In 2023, tourism represented 12.8% of Spanish GDP, equivalent to 186.6 billion euros, with the British contributing 19.9 billion, or 18.4% of that total.
The new rules, known as the “42-point rule”, require hotels and car rental companies to record customer data on a daily basis and keep it for three years. In addition to their first and last name, anyone aged 14 or over must provide additional information such as gender, nationality, date of birth, passport number, address, telephone number and, in some cases, credit card details. Children under 14 are exempt, but their companions must prove their relationship. Anyone who fails to comply with these obligations faces fines of up to €30,000.
The measures apply to a wide range of accommodation, from hotels, guesthouses and rural accommodation to campsites, as well as car rentals. The aim, as stated by the Interior Ministry, is to strengthen security by combating threats such as terrorism and organised crime. The authorities plan to cross-reference the data collected with databases of “persons of interest”.
However, the new requirements are already sparking criticism and concern in the tourism sector. Spanish hotel association CEHAT believes the regulation is disproportionate, contradicts European data protection directives and threatens the economic viability of the sector. In addition, there are concerns that the new procedures will make check-ins longer and harm the experience of tourists, as they may have to provide the same data multiple times during the same stay.
The British press has highlighted the discontent of citizens, who see the rules as an unnecessary bureaucratic barrier. Some tourists say they will avoid visiting Spain in the future, expressing their displeasure at feeling unwelcome. “I spent many years going to Spain, but I will never go again. If they don’t want us, we are not welcome… and who wants to go to places where they are not welcome?” said one British citizen, furious at the new rules. The possible boycott comes at a time when Spain relies heavily on British tourism, particularly in the coastal regions most visited by UK tourists.
Although the Spanish government has justified these measures on security grounds, criticism of the potential impact on tourism, which is a cash cow for the country’s economy, is growing. The response to these new rules could determine the future relationship between Spain and its British tourists, who have so far been a key pillar of the sector.
Source https://postal.pt/
