Tulum Restaurant Owners Seek Simpler Permits, 75% Tax Incentives

Tulum, Quintana Roo — Restaurant owners in Tulum have asked the city government to streamline permitting and grant tax incentives of up to 75 percent, citing more than 30 months of economic losses that have threatened many businesses and jobs.

During a second working meeting between municipal authorities and the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Seasoned Food Industry (Canirac), the group’s Tulum representative, Karla Medel, presented a package of proposals based on the Municipal Revenue Law and a technical analysis of the sector.

The proposals include keeping municipal permit fees at the minimum allowed by law, offering extraordinary tax incentives for the 2027 and 2028 fiscal years, simplifying renewal of internal civil protection programs when no changes are made, consolidating all procedures into a single window, reviewing permits for extended hours, and reducing reliance on third-party agents that increase costs for business owners.

In response, Mayor Diego Castañón Trejo reiterated his commitment to supporting the sector and announced that the city council will examine a two-month discount program for licenses and permits on Aug. 3. The program was initially proposed during the first meeting with restaurant owners.

The mayor also said a permanent assistance desk will be installed at the dome of Dos Aguas park to guide business owners through municipal, state and federal procedures, aiming to prevent irregularities by public officials or intermediaries.

Sergio Canto, the city’s inspections director, said the municipality will create a guidance and advisory office to assist taxpayers directly and establish rules for third-party agents to avoid excessive charges. He added that municipal inspectors will wear QR-code badges so business owners can verify their identities.

The city also said it will continue operations against unfair competition and unauthorized use of public space.

Municipal officials and Canirac agreed to maintain a permanent dialogue to strengthen the local economy, speed up administrative processes and provide greater certainty for investors and employers in Tulum.