Mexican Hotel Group Questions Viability of Quintana Roo Tourist Tax

A group of hotel officials serving the Mexican Caribbean region have expressed concerns to the governor of Quintana Roo about implementing and enforcing the tax imposed on incoming travelers.

According to Reportur.com, the Mexican Caribbean Hotel Council requested that Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama and local governments analyze the viability of the Visitax, as concerns arose regarding the “invasive” and “deceptive” way the fees are being collected.

Mexican Caribbean Hotel Council Vice President David Ortiz said the tourist charge—which has been in effect since 2021—was part of the plan to offset financial issues associated with the coronavirus pandemic, but should now be reviewed for mismanagement. 

“The problem is that it is charged deceptively, which is worrying because it damages the image of the destination,” Ortiz told Reportur.com.

Officials also echoed concerns from travelers regarding the lack of clarity on where the money goes, as well as concerns about the “aggressive” wording at Cancun International Airport, which posted Visitax advertisement that says, “Avoid inconveniences, remember that the charge is linked to your passport number.” 

“The law says one thing, the advertisements another, the hotels say that it is not necessary to pay, but the advertising sounds like a threat,” Ortiz said.

The Mexican Caribbean Hotel Council believes the Quintana Roo tourist tax should be streamlined like the one implemented in Miami, which incorporates all fees into a single 13 percent payment that clarifies how the money will be used.

While the government analyzes the tourist tax, hotel officials believe the way the fees are collected should be “modified” to avoid damaging the reputation of the Mexican Caribbean.

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