Spain's Tourism Board criticizes the new travelers' registry as nonsense

04-12-24

The Spanish Tourism Board has launched harsh criticisms against the new traveler registration system approved by the Government, calling it “nonsense” and warning about the serious consequences it could have for the tourism sector. According to representatives of this entity, the regulation not only increases the bureaucratic burden for companies, but also generates uncertainty among travelers, affecting the competitiveness of a key sector for the country's economy.

The new registry, which requires lodgings to collect and store additional information on travelers, has been presented as a tool to improve security and administrative control. However, from the Mesa del Turismo they argue that this measure is unnecessary and counterproductive, as it involves a duplication of procedures and does not bring real benefits to the sector.

“Spanish tourism is a fundamental economic engine, and measures like this only hinder the operation of companies and discourage travelers. What we need are policies that boost the sector, not slow it down with excessive and inconsistent regulations,” said Juan Molas, president of the Mesa del Turismo.

Among the most critical points pointed out by the entity is the increase in bureaucracy for tourist accommodations, which will now have to allocate more resources to administrative management instead of focusing on customer service and improving their services. This especially affects small and medium-sized businesses, which could see their profitability and operating capacity compromised.

In addition, the measure could generate distrust among tourists, who could feel uncomfortable having to provide additional data for registration. This perception could damage the image of Spain as a competitive tourist destination, at a time when the recovery of the sector after the pandemic is still underway.

The Mesa del Turismo has asked the Government to reconsider this regulation and seek more reasonable and effective alternatives to address the proposed objectives. Instead, they propose measures that simplify administrative procedures and facilitate the development of tourism activities, such as the digitalization of processes and cooperation between public and private sectors.

“We are committed to safety and regulatory compliance, but these must be balanced and designed to strengthen tourism, not complicate it. We call for an open dialogue with the authorities to find solutions that benefit all stakeholders,” Molas added.

Criticism of the new registry comes at a crucial time for tourism in Spain, a sector that accounts for more than 12% of national GDP and employs millions of people. After the devastating impact of the pandemic, the sector is just beginning to show signs of sustained recovery, driven by the return of international tourism and the revival of domestic travel.

However, the context remains fragile, with challenges such as inflation, competition from other European destinations and the growing demand for sustainability from travelers. According to the Mesa del Turismo, any measures that increase operational barriers or affect the perception of Spain as a quality destination could compromise the sector's long-term recovery.

The entity insists on the need to establish a constructive dialogue between the private sector and the authorities to ensure that public policies are aligned with the real needs of the industry. In a highly competitive environment, regulatory decisions should focus on strengthening Spain's attractiveness as a tourist destination, promoting innovation, sustainability and service excellence.