Spain’s new law demands more personal data from tourists

Spain’s new traveller rules are sparking outrage across the country, as industry leaders warn of severe consequences

A new government initiative, known as the 'Traveler Registry', has sparked considerable controversy in the travel industry. Scheduled to begin on December 2, the program will require travel agencies, hotels and car rental companies to collect extensive personal information from customers, raising serious privacy concerns and fears of increased travel costs.

Key takeaways

• Travel agencies already struggling with heavy administrative burdens, agencies have branded the registry a "bureaucratic nightmare." Industry representatives argue that it disproportionately burdens small businesses and threatens the viability of the industry as a whole;
• Hoteliers are also voicing their discontent. Spain's leading hotel association, CEHAT, has criticized the move as an invasion of privacy and warned it could damage Spain's image as a world-class tourist destination;
• The Royal Decree: Officially titled *Real Decreto 933/2021*, the regulation requires extensive personal information from travelers, including full names, gender, ID numbers, nationality, date of birth, home address, phone numbers, email addresses and family relationships when traveling with children;
• Industry insiders are concerned that this level of data collection may overstep privacy boundaries and diminish the attractiveness of the travel industry.

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