Carlos Abella, the secretary general of the Mesa del Turismo, has said that the update of this Royal Decree obliges accommodation companies, car rental companies and intermediary tour operators to provide customer information telematically with an excessive level of detail, also providing for penalties of up to 30,000 euros in case of infringement. All this in addition to “cumbersome booking procedures”.
Faced with a possible heavy fine plus having to pay a higher tourist tax during the peak summer months, Britons are thinking twice about a Spanish holiday and some are looking for paperwork-free destinations, many of which are cheaper as well - especially with regards to Mallorca.
The Spanish government has defended the rule, claiming that the tighter requirements will enhance safety by allowing the Ministry of Interior to access details on who, when and where both domestic and international guests are staying, assisting in tracking terrorists and organised crime syndicates.
But many people feel it is an infringement of their human rights and could also clash with data protection laws, not to mention being a major hassle.
One reader posted the comment: "I usually take the view that I've got nothing to hide so I don't mind giving information. However, there's a limit and it looks like the new regulations exceed what I and most people would regard as sufficient for the cause (of renting a room or a car). Yes, Spain will lose visitors as a result if this becomes law since most people will get the impression that the country is heading to becoming a Police state and they don't need that hassle on a holiday."
8 comments
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The funny thing is - as far as I can tell, it's not the tourists that *could* be fined 30K. It's the hotels and Car rental companies that refuse to participate.
Finally something positive.
Bad news always gets more clicks, the truth doesn’t matter.
So MDB believe that the readers are representative of all of the UK? How peculiar.
So the MDB will be shutting up shop then . Don't forget to turn the lights out.
It’s embarrassing to read the MDB at times when the level of misreporting and alarmism is so glaringly off the scale.
Perfect, so next year, if this silly poll is vaguely correct, then there will be significantly fewer tourists. Heaven! Well done to the Madrid government for this inspired initiative.
I think most readers and people who voted actually live in Mallorca so the poll is a nonsense