The new system for registering details was designed to prevent terrorism and organised crime, but critics claim it will put people off travelling and slow down
An urgent warning has been issued for British tourists travelling to Spain after chaos emerged following a rule change.
A new system which registers visitors’ travel details crashed after it was introduced. It had already triggered unanimous disapproval after it proved “problematic” and resulted in travel agency problems in the sector. But it appears these could last longer than first thought.
Pedro Fiol, president of the Aviba Balearic Association of Travel Agencies, indicated the failures of the system have had an “international impact”. He reportedly said: “It was chaos. It hardly ever worked during the test period. It is disproportionate and has already had an international impact. We cannot upload data that we don’t know.”
Fiol said plans introduced to “fight terrorism and organised crime” 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.”
The other issue is fines for non-compliance as high as 30,000 euros (£25,000). Aviba has advised members to take screenshots of website errors as evidence. Fiol said: “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.”
Anyone who is 14 or above must provide a breadth of information under the new rules, reports the Express. This includes up to 31 additional details including their names and surnames, ID numbers, home address and email addresses, telephone numbers, card details, passport numbers, and account numbers.
Children under 14, however, will not need to provide the information. But adults travelling with them must explain their relationship with them.
A spokesperson for the Interior Ministry previously said: “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.”
But business owners and hoteliers are worried they will have to suffer an inevitable backlash from people travelling to Spain. From December 2, visitors must submit additional documentation.
The Mirror reported earlier this month how fresh regulations demand accommodation and car rental companies must forward a raft of personal details from customers, including passport numbers, home addresses, and payment methods, directly to Spanish authorities. The government insists these measures are for national security purposes, but they have sparked privacy concerns and fears of check-in delays.
In the Balearic Islands, a travel industry leader Fiol has already predicted some holiday packages may no longer be viable under the stringent rules. He expressed concerns to the Majorca Daily Bulletin, suggesting that businesses offering holidays in certain niches might have to cease operations. He also highlighted bookings for large events or sports teams could also be hit hard.