The tourism sector sees "unacceptable" the new registry and studies legal actions in the face of imminent application

MADRID Nov. 30 () –

The application of Royal Decree 933/2021 on documentary registration will finally come into force on December 2 after being extended three times and having been the constant subject of criticism from the tourism sector, which considers it “unacceptable” and is already studying legal actions regarding its imminent entry into force.

Specifically, among the most pronounced complaints by the industry are its possible incompatibility with the European Union regulations, together with the fact that its approval would generate “legal uncertainty and impossibility of compliance”, competitive disadvantage in the national and European market, lack of adaptation technological and disproportionate administrative burden for companies, since 95% of the core of the sector are SMEs.

Recently, the Spanish Confederation of Travel Agencies (CEAV) described this regulation as “unacceptable”, confirming that they will continue with their legal approaches, both regarding the exclusion of travel agencies, as well as the Mice industry and the corporate sector.

In addition, the manager of the Acave employer’s association, Catiana Tur, highlighted this Wednesday “the legal uncertainty” posed by Royal Decree 933/2021 and the fact that “the sector has not been counted” for the ministerial order announced on the new traveler registration.

On the other hand, the president of Fetave, César Gutiérrez, confessed that “we did not believe that the RD would finally move forward, because all the reports, that of the Data Protection Agency, that of the European Commission and that of the Council of State , pointed to many incompatibilities with current laws.”

Added to these criticisms are those from hoteliers, since the Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodations (Cehat) denounced that the new regulation not only negatively affects international tourists, but also Spanish citizens who use hotels and accommodations. in their movements within the country.

“These will have to face more complex and tedious administrative procedures, compromising their accommodation experience,” he argued.

THE SECTOR STUDIES LEGAL ACTIONS

Among other measures, hoteliers are working with legal experts to evaluate the judicial options available, with the aim of challenging the regulations “for their disproportionate impact and their incompatibility with European directives.”

The Cehat employers’ association considers that these actions are “necessary” to defend the rights of travelers and guarantee a “balanced and fair” regulatory environment for tourist establishments.

“We have been requesting dialogue and concrete proposals for months to guarantee legal security and the viability of the sector, but we have not received any response. Given this lack of political will, we are forced to propose legal avenues to protect both businessmen and travelers. “said its president, Jorge Marichal.

The same provision is found in the travel agencies, Acave, UNAV and Fetave, which have already reported that they are studying legal actions against the new traveler registry.

“It violates European data protection regulations due to the amount of sensitive and personal data that companies are required to collect,” the three associations criticized in a joint statement.

THE AGENCIES DO NOT TRUST A MINISTERIAL ORDER

Regarding the announcement of a ministerial order, which will be subject to a two-week public hearing, agency employers see it as “highly unlikely” that it excludes the obligation to communicate new personal data “as sensitive” as credit card data. of tourists.

For its part, CEAV demanded a ministerial order that “includes the demands of the sector and reduces the data to be provided”, and which expressly mentions the exclusion of activities such as corporate and MICE, groups and receptive activity in general. and, especially, with foreign travel agencies and tour operators.

Regarding the Interior version about “a permanent dialogue with the affected sectors”, CEAV itself denied the “continuous contact” with the industry that the ministerial department has claimed to have.

“The sector must find out from other sources about the Ministry’s approaches despite the continuous unsuccessful attempts at contact by the confederation,” he criticized in this regard.

Furthermore, Cehat denounced that, since the meeting held with the Ministry of the Interior on October 4, he has not received any official communication or concrete progress on the clarifications promised by the Interior.

Finally, the agencies, led by Acave, UNAV and Fetave, charged against the “nonsense” of the Secretary of State for Security, Rafael Pérez, who “refused to meet with the sector throughout this process.”