These measures require stricter control of tourists' personal data, something that has already generated reactions of discontent in the United Kingdom, the main source of tourists to Spain. In 2023, tourism represented 12.8% of Spanish GDP, equivalent to 186.6 billion euros, with the British contributing 19.9 billion, or 18.4% of this total, reveals ZAP.aeiou.

The new rules, known as the “42-point rule”, oblige hotels and car rental companies to register customer data daily and keep it for three years. In addition to their first and last name, anyone aged 14 or over must provide additional information such as gender, nationality, date of birth, passport number, address, telephone contacts and, in some cases, credit card details. Children under 14 are exempt, but their companions must justify the family relationship. Anyone who fails to comply with these obligations faces fines that can reach €30,000.

These measures apply to a wide range of accommodation, from hotels, guesthouses and rural lodges to campsites, as well as car rentals. The objective declared by the Ministry of the Interior is to reinforce security, combating threats such as terrorism and organised crime. Authorities plan to cross-reference the collected data with “persons of interest” databases.

However, the new demands are already causing criticism and concern in the tourism sector. The Spanish hotel association CEHAT considers that the regulation is disproportionate, contradicts European data protection directives and threatens the economic viability of the sector. Furthermore, there are fears that the new procedures will make check-ins longer and harm tourists' experience, as they may have to provide the same details several times during the same stay.

The British press has highlighted the discontent of citizens, who see these rules as an unnecessary bureaucratic barrier. Some tourists say they will avoid visiting Spain in the future, expressing discontent at feeling unwelcome. “I spent many years going to Spain, but never again. If they don’t want us, we’re not welcome… and who wants to go to places where they’re not welcome?”, described a British man, furious with the new rules. This potential boycott comes at a time when Spain relies heavily on British tourism, particularly in the coastal regions most visited by UK tourists.

Although the Spanish government justifies these measures on security grounds, criticism of the potential impact on tourism, which is a “golden goose” for the country's economy, is growing. The response to these new rules could determine the future relationship between Spain and its British tourists, who have until now been a key pillar for the sector.