Yucatán Hotels Push for Airbnb Regulation Amid Competition

Mérida, Yucatán — The Mexican Association of Hotels in Yucatán (AMHY) has raised concerns over what it describes as unfair competition from digital platforms like Airbnb, which offer lodging without adhering to regulatory requirements. According to AMHY President Juan José Martín Pacheco, the region currently has over 10,000 such accommodations, significantly impacting hotel occupancy rates, which have dropped to an average of 34% during peak vacation season.

Call for Regulatory Parity

Martín Pacheco emphasized the need for state-level intervention to level the playing field. "In Yucatán, there is no fair competition. I believe it’s time for the State Congress to regulate this activity because we are heavily scrutinized. We’re not asking for these platforms to disappear, but for them to be regulated so that there’s fair competition and compliance with the obligations we all have," he stated.

The hotel industry leader highlighted the stringent requirements for operating a hotel, including land-use permits, operational licenses, and civil protection measures—standards that many short-term rentals listed on social media fail to meet.

Unprecedented Market Challenges

Martín Pacheco, a veteran hotelier with 40 years of experience, noted that he has never encountered a situation like this before. He urged authorities to intervene, drawing parallels to the regulation of ride-hailing platforms like Uber and InDrive.

Beyond the issue of unregulated rentals, he pointed to an atypical contraction in the tourism market since May, attributing it partly to insecurity on federal highways. However, he clarified that Yucatán remains one of the safest regions in Mexico.

Shift to Domestic Tourism

With some of the lowest hotel rates in the country, AMHY has refocused its efforts on attracting domestic tourists over the past three months.

The surge in vacation home investments along the Yucatán coast has also raised concerns. As previously reported by REPORTUR.mx, the area has become a hotspot for national and foreign buyers seeking beachfront properties. However, this real estate boom faces challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, ecological strain, and high demand in a limited geographic area, as noted by Iván Cervera López, president of the Mérida chapter of the Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals (AMPI).

Comments Section Highlights

The article’s comment section reflected divided opinions. One user, Mayra, criticized Airbnb for property damage, while another, Noé Pérez, likened the situation to convenience stores competing with small shops. A third commenter, Mario Mtz, argued that hotels and Airbnb cater to different markets due to amenities like kitchens and laundry facilities.

The debate underscores the broader tension between traditional hospitality sectors and the growing influence of short-term rental platforms.