Furious Express.co.uk readers have vowedto boycott Spain after the country’s new problematic system has left them “feeling like criminals”.
Earlier this week chaotic scenes erupted in Spain after the country’s new system for registering traveller information crashed on its first day.
Spain’s new system has already sparked unanimous disapproval after it proved “problematic” for the travel agency sector. It seems these problems could continue for a while longer.
Pedro Fiol, president of the Aviba Balearic Association of Travel Agencies, warns that the failures have already had an “international impact.”
“It was chaos. It hardly ever worked during the test period”, said Mr Fiol.
And now it seems Brits up and down the country have been left with a bad taste in their mouths over Spain’s new tourism rules that mean anyone who is 14 or above must provide a breadth of information, with up to 31 additional details including their names and surnames, ID numbers, home address and email addresses, telephone numbers, card details, passport number and account numbers.
Children under 14 will not need to provide the information, but adults travelling with them must explain their relationship with them.
Express.co.uk readers in their masses have vented their frustrations with some pledging to never return to the hit holiday destination with some comparing Spain’s new rules to a “criminal investigation form”.
One commentator said: “Absolutely furious why should we in the UK be treated like we are criminals?
“My advice is to avoid and the UK should state to all of the EU that this violates citizens rights.
“Why do they need to know your home address, all of your phone numbers, your email addresses, the places you are going etc.
“We don’t ask all these questions to EU’s coming here.
“We only want to go on holiday. We don’t need to fill in a criminal investigation form.”
Another reader said: “We’re booked for a holiday in Spain next year. It’s booked and fully paid for. We won’t be going to Spain after that holiday because of the newly introduced tourist scheme.
“It has been reported that tourist info will be written on a piece of paper!! Good grief.”
One reader added: “If the Spanish don’t want us then don’t go. When all the restaurants, bars, and hotels close, who is to blame?
“The Spanish government needs to take control and give the locals affordable housing and stop blaming the tourists.”
Whilst another reader, who has “no interest in Spain”, pledged they will instead holiday in the UK where there are “friendly people and even decent beer”.
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.”
