by Donald Wood
Last updated: 12:35 PM ET, Wed September 13, 2023
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.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe
to the daily TravelPulse
newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
