Spain holidays: Controversial 'Big Brother' law to be enforced from October for tourists staying at hotels

Under the new law British tourists will be forced to hand over sensitive information every time they visit Spain. The rules which apply from October will require hoteliers to hand over tourists' credit card numbers and contact details to police, local media has reported. 

Bank account details and personal addresses may also be requested under the new legislation. Currently hotels and apartment blocks make a copy of your passport or identity card which is passed onto officers. 

The new law has been criticised within the Spanish tourist industry amid fears it could break privacy guidelines. Hoteliers have also said it will only create more work for already busy staff.

The Spanish government has defended the proposal, saying it will make the country safer. The Interior Ministry said they wanted to know who was staying in hotel and apartment complexes across the country. 

It comes as anti-tourism protests have swept across the country this summer. At the end of July, some 20,000 protesters filled the streets of Palma de Mallorca holding posters targeting British and German tourists alike.

Locals were seen holding placards with one reading: "Take Back Your Drunks, Give Back Our Homes”. In the same month, demonstrators squirted tourists with water pistols in the streets of Barcelona.

In August anti-tourism protesters stormed a popular party beach in Mallorca, Spain, armed with banners and placards. The protest was organised by campaign group Majorca Platja Tour and took place on the beach Balneario 6, which is located in Playa de Palma. 

The activist group said they chose the area because it is infamous for drunkenness and disorder. The protestors held banners and placards with slogans such as 'tourists go home' and 'let's occupy our beaches'.