Balearics tour operators may pull out over new Spanish rules, travel experts warn
Sports teams and conference groups may be unable to provide advance guest information
UsenB
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Spain’s new registration system for tourists continues to make waves, as travel industry experts warn tour companies will pull out of the Balearics if large groups cannot provide their data in advance.
President of the Aviba Association of travel agencies in the Balearics, Pedro Fiol, told the Majorca Daily Bulletin that small tour operators that host sports teams and conference groups will suffer if pre-booked reservations can’t provide guest information as they do not know “exactly who will attend”.
The new Spanish law, aimed at improving security, stipulates that providers must collect extensive fresh information from holidaymakers.
From 2 December, accommodation rules require a list of personal data for everyone aged 14 or above including: full name, gender, nationality, passport number, date of birth, home address, landline phone number (if you have one), mobile phone number and email address.
Mr Fiol said: “It is not possible to give so much data so far in advance. For example, when a company reserves a hotel to hold an event it doesn’t know exactly who will attend. How is it going to provide more than 40 pieces of information in 24 hours if it doesn’t know who will be participating?
“The same thing happens with sports teams. These types of reservations are made months or even years in advance, based on forecasts, but these are not confirmed names.”
He added that losing these large group bookings that often spend highly during off-peak seasons could have a “very negative” impact on the Balearic economy.
Hotels have long recorded some personal details. But the government is extending the list of data required – and also wants information from people staying in apartments booked on platforms such as Airbnb.
According to the Bulletin, the Mallorca Hoteliers Federation said the requirements represent “a very high level of legal uncertainty”, highlighting the “risk of possible data leaks”.
For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calder’s podcast
