A new law in Spain that will require hotel owners and those with rental properties to hand over sensitive information about their visitors is sparking concern in Spain.

From October 1, those staying at hotels and rental properties in Spain will have to give additional information about themselves, such as credit card numbers, bank account details and personal addresses and telephone numbers.

The Spanish government says the policy will make the country safer but critics worry that this is a violation of tourists’ privacy.

Hoteliers have called on the government in Madrid to scrap the plan.

The Spanish Ministry for the Interior says the policy will help them know who is staying where across the country.

Hoteliers are also warning that the policy will add to their staff’s already high workload. Others have branded it a “Big Brother” policy which could result in tourists booking holidays elsewhere.

The Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation (CEHAT) has been among the major bodies raising the alarm over the policy.

They said: “There is widespread confusion regarding what data is required and how to submit it.

“It is impossible to automate the process and it would involve additional and disproportionate manual work for establishments and a considerable increase in errors.

“The hotel sector, which has always collaborated with the State Security Forces and Corps, was surprised to find that it had to provide unofficial data that does not appear in any of the documents carried by travellers (ID and passport) such as payment method, credit card numbers, and mobile phone number.”

Maria Frontera, president of the Mallorcan Federation of Hoteliers, told iNews: “We demand that the government changes and reforms these rules and delays their enforcement until we have reached an agreement.”