Bacalar Hoteliers Urge Faster Regulation of Digital Lodging Platforms

Bacalar, Quintana Roo — Hotel owners in Bacalar support municipal efforts to regulate digital lodging platforms like Airbnb but say progress has been too slow, with many operators continuing to work outside the law.

Enrique Bautista, president of the Bacalar Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHRB), said unregulated platforms represent unfair competition for formally established businesses because they offer much lower prices.

“Airbnbs affect us tremendously—it’s an unfair issue,” Bautista said. “They operate far below our budget and costs. We can’t compete because they don’t pay operating licenses or taxes, and their staff don’t have social security. They can offer prices that a business owner can’t because we have to cover various expenses to operate. We know the municipality has approached digital platform owners and is looking to regulate them, but many still operate irregularly.”

While there’s no precise count of how many rooms operate without paying taxes or complying with municipal and safety regulations, estimates suggest more than 1,500, though the number could be higher since some aren’t fully identified.

For now, hotels are focusing on intensifying their promotion strategies, not only participating in tourism fairs but also promoting the destination on social media to position the “Pueblo Mágico” and increase visitor numbers ahead of the upcoming Holy Week holiday period.

“We participated in the Expo Arlag 2026 fair in Guadalajara to boost tourism promotion for Holy Week and aim for full occupancy in lodging centers while continuing to position the Magic Town as a favorite destination,” Bautista said. “Maintaining promotion even on social media is crucial because that’s what drives tourism now.”

He added that they will redouble efforts to create itineraries combining lodging with nature experiences, gastronomy, and other activities, seeking to diversify services through alliances between business sectors to generate economic benefits for all.