The Paradores de Turismo de España hotel chain has stated that it does not possess any documents related to the stay of former Transport Minister José Luis Ábalos at Parador de Teruel in September 2020. The reason for this is the expiration of the legally mandated period for storing guest registration data. In response to an official request submitted through the Transparency Portal, the company emphasized that according to current regulations, all guest records are deleted three years after the end of their stay.
Paradores clarified that it cannot provide information on any of the rooms booked for the specified dates. The explanation cites Spanish legislation that regulates the management of registration logs and the retention of hotel guest information. Specifically, it refers to Order INT/1922/2003 and Royal Decree 933/2021, which define the terms and procedures for storing such data.
Official statement
The company confirmed that Ábalos did indeed stay in Teruel in September 2020; however, all documents related to that visit were destroyed after three years as required by law. Paradores stressed that it holds no specific information about bookings or guests from that period.
The response also stated that the company does not monitor what guests do in their rooms and is not interested in their political affiliation. Paradores assured that there were no reported incidents of property damage or complaints related to the stay of Ábalos or any other individuals during those days. It was reported that no expenses were incurred for repairs and no complaints were filed.
Investigation and details of the visit
According to investigative materials from the Guardia Civil, Ábalos did stay at the Parador de Teruel on September 15 and 16, 2020. His visit coincided with an official trip to inspect construction sites along the railway corridor between Teruel and Valencia. At that time, Spain had mobility restrictions in place due to the pandemic.
Investigators found that Koldo García purchased train tickets totaling €490.25 to organize Ábalos’s ‘personal meetings.’ According to witnesses and hotel staff, events allegedly occurred at the Parador de Teruel during these days that led to complaints about room damage and the presence of women described as prostitutes. However, the hotel director stated that the minister’s stay was uneventful, with no incidents or violations.
Witnesses and conflicting accounts
That same night, Pilar Alegría, who was then the government’s delegate in Aragón and later became Minister of Education, stayed at the Parador de Teruel. She was there with colleagues and firmly denied any rumors of parties or misconduct, stating that she noticed nothing suspicious.
Case materials indicate that the details of Ábalos’s stay and related events were deemed “sensitive information” by the court and separated into a different proceeding. Investigators are also examining cash transactions made during this period. Some reports mention large sums paid for the services of women, but the primary focus of the investigation is on confirming the accommodation and payment for the trip by the former minister’s associates.
Access to information
The request sent via the Transparency Portal raised questions about a possible party at the Parador de Teruel in September 2020, the number of guests in the rooms, reports of damage, and whether the leadership of the Socialist Party was aware of the incident. Paradores provided partial access to information, limited to records not already destroyed after the retention period expired.
The company explained that all client documentation is limited to the reservation, the accommodation contract, and the invoice. In the case of Ábalos’s stay, these documents no longer exist. Paradores reminded that the decision to refuse to provide the information can be appealed within two months in the administrative court or within one month to the Transparency and Good Governance Council.
