Tourism Sector Opposes New Tax Collection Role

Cancún, MX. — The potential creation of a new state fee for foreign tourists, included in the 2026 Revenue Law project, has raised alarms among service providers, tourism operators, and small business owners, who warn of impacts on the destination’s competitiveness and the visitor experience.

The proposal would replace the current 525-peso charge collected at airport terminals, but it suggests that hotels, restaurants, beach clubs, transport services, car rental companies, and tour services become direct collectors of VISITAX.

For those in the tourism sector, the change is not merely an administrative procedure; it would involve modifying internal processes, training staff, explaining charges to visitors, and assuming potential conflicts or discomforts during service.

Small hoteliers in Cancún believe the adjustment comes at a complex time. They assert that tourists already perceive high costs and that forcing businesses to charge directly could damage the client relationship.

“Many come with tight budgets. This would put us in the position of justifying charges we don’t control,” said the manager of a boutique hotel in the central zone.

In Playa del Carmen, restaurant owners indicate that their employees are not prepared to answer questions about state taxes.

Tour guides warn that the measure could delay services and tours due to the need to verify payments or explain the charge during operations.

In Tulum, where there is already a perception of high rates, dissatisfaction is evident. “It was a difficult year, full of sargassum. This could bury Tulum,” summarized a service provider within the Jaguar Park.

They Ask Not to Be Made into Collectors

Tourism companies have begun circulating a formal letter expressing their rejection of assuming the collection of VISITAX.

In it, they warn that turning tourism businesses into collectors would generate confusion, friction, and a poor perception of the destination.

It would add operational burdens that do not correspond to their line of business, diverting staff and time from visitor attention.

There is a history of fraud and fake websites related to VISITAX, so assuming that collection could expose them to liability and trust issues.

They insist that collection should be clear, transparent, and managed exclusively by the authority, without forced intermediaries.

“Any collection mechanism must be secure and direct. We cannot assume responsibilities that do not correspond to us,” states the document.

The new tax adds to other recent adjustments. In 2023, the lodging tax increased from 3% to 5%.

For 2026, the access fee for foreigners to the Tulum archaeological zone will rise from approximately 100 to 210 pesos, an increase of over 100%.

Operators warn that this accumulation of costs could make it harder to sell Quintana Roo in international markets, especially when the tax burden changes year by year.

Although the proposal is still under discussion, agencies report that tourists planning trips for 2026 are asking if there will be surprise charges at each establishment, how payment will be verified, and what happens if a business demands a receipt that the visitor does not understand or have on hand.

Direct Impact on Those Who Live from Tourism

For tourism operators, the impact will not only fall on the tourist. “If visits decrease, our incomes, seasons, and even jobs decrease. It’s not just a tax: it’s the entire chain,” said a tour operator in the Riviera Maya.

The initiative will continue to be analyzed in the State Congress as part of the 2026 Revenue Law. Meanwhile, the tourism sector insists on one point: they do not want to become collectors of taxes that, they believe, should be administered directly by the state authority.