New Rules for Registering Hotel Guests
SGM Abogados wishes to inform our clients and their families about the recent developments in Spain's tourism sector concerning the new rules for registering hotel guests. The Spanish tourism industry, including hoteliers and travel agencies, has expressed strong opposition to these changes, highlighting several critical issues.
These new regulations, initially set to be enforced from October 1st, 2024, have been postponed to December 2nd, 2024, due to widespread concerns. The rules will substantially increase the personal data hotels are required to collect from guests, expanding the number from 9 to 17 different types. This includes detailed information such as full names, document numbers, type of identification, nationality, date of birth, complete legal residence address, contact details, and specifics regarding the relationships among travelers, especially for minors.
Key industry associations across Europe, including the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation (Cehat), the European Travel Agents and Tour Operators Association (Ectaa), and the European Tourism Association (ETOA), have criticized these measures. They argue that the added administrative burden and costs will inevitably lead to higher holiday prices, potentially diminishing Spain’s competitive edge in the global tourism market and its stature as a leader in European tourism.
Moreover, there are significant concerns about the compatibility of these new requirements with EU law, particularly regarding data protection, and the practical challenges smaller companies might face in meeting these demands. The governmental justification for these stringent measures cites the safety of Spanish citizens and the record number of tourists as primary motivators.
However, there is a palpable fear within the tourism community that such stringent data demands may deter tourists, who might prefer destinations with less invasive registration processes.
We at SGM Abogados are closely monitoring this situation and will continue to provide updates as they become available. We understand the implications these changes may have on your travel plans and are here to assist with any legal advice you may need in navigating these new requirements
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