Spain targets fake online reviews to protect tourism industry

Spain proposes a law to ban fake hospitality reviews and enforce stricter verification standards to protect its vital tourism sector.

Spain’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs is preparing a legislative move that would ban fake online reviews, aiming to defend the integrity of the country's hospitality sector. The proposal is part of a broader revision to Spain’s Customer Services Law, currently undergoing final review in Parliament.

Tourism remains a pillar of the Spanish economy. In 2023, it contributed 12.3 percent of GDP and accounted for over 2.5 million jobs, or 11.6 percent of national employment, according to the national statistics agency INE. With this backdrop, misleading reviews on platforms like TripAdvisor, TheFork, and Booking.com are seen not just as a nuisance but as a direct threat to one of Spain’s core industries.

The proposed changes would allow business owners to request the removal of reviews deemed false, provided they can prove the content is inaccurate. Valid proof may include manipulated invoices or unrealistic pricing details mentioned in the review. The burden of proof would lie with the business, but the ministry has kept the requirements flexible to adapt to specific cases.

The ministry also seeks to impose a 30-day deadline for posting reviews following a purchase or service experience. This is intended to ensure that consumer feedback remains timely and relevant. As outlined in the draft seen by El País, reviews must concern goods or services used within 30 calendar days of the review’s publication. Traders would retain the right to respond to all reviews directly on the same platform.

Further reinforcing its stance, the ministry has reiterated existing prohibitions on buying or selling reviews and has emphasized the need for platforms to verify the authenticity of reviewers.

Consumer Affairs Minister Pablo Bustinduy of the Sumar party is leading the effort. The ministry draws partial inspiration from measures adopted in Italy, where similar rules have been implemented to curb the spread of fraudulent online reviews.

In Spain, where a café’s rating can influence daily foot traffic and a hotel’s standing may hinge on a few digital comments, the stakes are high. Strengthening legal tools to eliminate fabricated reviews is not just a regulatory update—it is a strategic defense of an economic engine.