The new system has been widely criticised as ‘problematic’ and has already had an ‘international impact’ – with potential fines for non-compliance costing nearly £25,000
A new system for registering traveller information descended into chaos on its first day in Spain after it crashed and sparked widespread disapproval.
The system has already proven to be “problematic” and caused significant issues for the travel agency sector, with these problems looking set to continue. Pedro Fiol, president of the Aviba Balearic Association of Travel Agencies, warned that the failures have already had an “international impact.”
“It was chaos. It hardly ever worked during the test period”, Fiol stated. He went on to say: “It is disproportionate and has already had an international impact. We cannot upload data that we don’t know.”
Fiol criticised the plans, which were implemented to “fight terrorism and organised crime”, arguing they will “neither prevent nor deter any possible attack”. He added: “Terrorists with names and surnames will not be staying with their faces uncovered in any hotel surrounded by tourists.
“The measure violates all the principles of privacy of our customers. Europe should act. It will be easier to file a tax return than book a hotel,” reports the Express.
With potential fines for non-compliance reaching up to €30,000 (£24,790) Aviba is now advising members to take screenshots of website errors as evidence. “It is very important that we can prove that the system has not been working and that we have therefore not been able to load the data,” Fiol concluded.
The latest regulations stipulate that anyone aged 14 or over will be required to submit extensive personal details for travel, potentially including up to 31 separate pieces of information. These include details such as names, ID numbers, home address, email addresses and telephone contacts, as well as card, passport and account numbers.
In contrast, those under 14 are exempt from these requirements, but any accompanying adults must clarify their relationship with these minors. A representative for the Interior Ministry has previously defended the policy, asserting: “It is justified for the general interest for the security of citizens against the threat of terrorism and other serious offences committed by criminal organisations.” Despite these justifications, there’s rising concern among local business proprietors and hoteliers who fear they’ll face the brunt of public dissatisfaction.