Spain's AI tourism initiative and failed foreign property purchase restrictions

In this week’s Inside Spain, we explore a groundbreaking initiative in the coastal town of Benicassim that aims to transform the tourist experience through artificial intelligence (AI), alongside the recent rejection of a proposal to restrict foreign property purchases.

AI technology is increasingly permeating various sectors, and Spain's tourism industry is no exception. Benicassim, located in Castellón province and renowned for its international music festival, will pioneer the use of AI to enhance holidaymakers' experiences. The town hall plans to utilize a geolocation system to provide tourists with tailored recommendations, notifying them of nearby attractions, services, and offers, such as jet ski rentals and dining options.

To benefit from this service, visitors will need to download a dedicated app, which will leverage their preferences to deliver personalized suggestions. This innovative approach encompasses a wide range of local amenities, including monuments, museums, parks, restaurants, and transport facilities. Authorities in Benicassim assert that AI will significantly enhance the tourism experience.

Moreover, 11 other municipalities in the Castellón province are set to adopt similar AI-driven geolocation services. Major travel companies like Expedia and Kayak already offer virtual assistants to vacationers, indicating a broader trend toward AI integration in travel.

In a related development, the popular tourist destination of Benidorm is also preparing to implement an AI-assisted chatbot aimed at improving communication and accessibility for both residents and visitors.

However, the incorporation of AI raises concerns. As part of Benicassim's AI rollout, a video surveillance system utilizing deep learning technologies will be introduced. This system includes facial recognition capabilities, crowd monitoring, and vehicle tracking to enhance public safety.

In contrasting news, Spain’s Congressional Housing Committee recently dismissed a proposal aimed at limiting foreign property purchases. The initiative, put forth by the Catalan party ERC, sought to impose a five-year residency requirement for foreign buyers. While ERC garnered support from the hard-left coalition partner Sumar, the ruling Socialist party abstained from voting.

The far-right party Vox has expressed interest in measures to curb foreign property demand, emphasizing the impact of speculation on local communities. However, they deemed the proposed restrictions insufficient.

ERC's proposal aimed to empower Spain’s 17 autonomous communities to regulate foreign buyers. Under the suggested system, foreigners would need prior authorization from regional housing departments to purchase homes, contingent upon demonstrating five years of continuous residency.

This proposal marks a significant shift in the political landscape, being the first of its kind to suggest restrictions on foreign residents purchasing properties, as previous initiatives targeted non-EU non-residents. Should such measures be enacted, temporary residents may find themselves barred from home purchases in Spain.

Earlier this year, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez made headlines by indicating that his government is considering either a supertax on non-resident non-EU buyers or outright prohibitions on property purchases by those lacking ties to Spain. These proposals are positioned as potential solutions to the ongoing housing crisis in the country.

The fate of Sánchez's measures remains uncertain, with their passage through Congress and the Senate still pending.