Cancún — Quintana Roo Tourism Secretary Bernardo Cueto Riestra clarified that there is no proposal to increase the Visitax fee by 25%, following circulating reports over the weekend.
The official emphasized that the Finance Secretariat has not notified any adjustments to date, and the fee remains at 224 pesos for foreign visitors.
In an interview with Radio Fórmula, he explained that the Visitax, in effect since 2021, has faced effectiveness and transparency issues in its collection, primarily due to the scheme implemented at airports and the emergence of fraudulent websites charging irregularly.
Therefore, the state government and the hotel sector are analyzing a new model to facilitate payment for tourists and ensure that resources reach state coffers through Sefiplan.
“The objective is for the collection to be more orderly, more efficient, and clearer, without increasing taxes and without affecting the visitor,” he stated.
The secretary noted that for months they have maintained a dialogue with hoteliers, one of the sectors most concerned about the operation of Visitax at airports. The conversations aim to define a collection system that generates less friction for tourists and has a clear purpose to strengthen the competitiveness of the Mexican Caribbean.
“The intention is for this fee to contribute directly to tourism development, infrastructure, and promotion, always with transparency,” he added.
Collection and Competitiveness
The state authority seeks to avoid intermediaries and reinforce the security of the payment process, following multiple reports of improper charges on unofficial platforms. The new scheme also aims to increase the actual collection of a fee that, according to Cueto Riestra, has not been fully effective since its creation.
The official reiterated that there will be no increases to the Visitax or other tourism taxes, and recalled that the 2026 Revenue Law has not yet been published.
Cueto Riestra highlighted that the entity records occupancy rates above 80% and more than 600 daily operations at Cancún International Airport, despite recent technical reviews affecting Airbus A320 aircraft. Only one Mexican flight was canceled and some experienced minor delays.
The secretary advanced that next year will be key to consolidating the tourism model and preparing for the 2026 World Cup, which will increase the arrival of fans and possibly teams choosing Quintana Roo as a base.
The state participates in working groups to reinforce promotion, security, and visitor service strategies, in addition to coordinating actions with the consular corps accredited in the entity.
For this week, Cueto Riestra will accompany the governor in activities in Chetumal, a public hearing in José María Morelos, and the inauguration of the 2026 chapter of MPI Caribe Mexicano. The Bot Show, a relevant meeting for the nautical industry, also begins in Cancún.
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