Starting next monday Spain introduces super-strict tourist data-collection rules that make local businesses gather way more info than any other EU country
The new-fangled system needs hotels tour operators and car-rental firms to collect thirty-one different pieces of data (including bank details family connections and home addresses) from their customers
Tourism industry leader Ramón Estalella from Spanish hotel group Cehat doesnt like these changes:
Its like Big Brother – its nuts and will cause chaos
Right now Spanish hotels only need basic ID info but the new rules make them get much more personal stuff; which could slow-down check-ins and create long queues at busy times
The interior ministry says its all about catching bad guys but Cehat started legal action because:
- Rules dont match EU data protection laws
- Fines are super-high for not following them
- Some demands are just weird like car rental places need to know car plates before rentals happen
- It might make tourists feel un-comfortable
Fernando Grande-Marlaska the interior guy says the rules are fair – mixing privacy and safety needs but tourism folks (who bring in 12% of Spains money) had just one meeting to talk about their worries in past 3 years