New 10 dollar tourist tax in Cancun to start in April
The tax of 10 dollars for foreign tourists arriving in Cancun, Quintana Roo will become effective on April 2021, according to the ruling that proposed reforms.
The new tax of 10 dollars for foreign tourists arriving in Cancun, Quintana Roo will become effective on April 2021, according to the ruling that proposed reforms to the Quintana Roo Finance Law, approved by the local Congress.
The State Secretary of Tourism (Sedetur), Marisol Vanegas, has broken this determination assuring that "a payment of 10 dollars to the international profile we have will not make a dent" in the arrival of tourists.
She has argued that "there are many other destinations" that have this tax, and that it is necessary due to the deficit that the state of Quintana Roo will have due to the fall of tourism as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The tourism sector has rejected this measure
From hoteliers to travel agencies and tour operators have warned of the consequences that the new tax will have for the arrival of tourists to competing destinations such as the Dominican Republic or Cuba, which instead of establishing new tax rates, stimulate foreign tourism.
The protest of these sub-sectors has been joined by the National Chamber of Air Transportation (Canaero), which groups national and international airlines, cargo companies, air cabs and service providers, and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents 290 lines worldwide.
In a document signed by Cuitláhuac Gutiérrez Martínez, country manager of IATA Mexico, and Luis Noriega Benet, president of Canaero, they asked to reconsider this proposal contemplated in the 2021 fiscal package, since it will discourage the arrival of tourists.
Likewise, they expressed their concern for the proposal for the use of the State's heritage, where it is sought that international tourists who enter the State of Quintana Roo by air be subject to payment for the use of the State's public property.
Finally, they pointed out that the mechanism by which this use is intended to be collected is also of concern due to the difficulties it represents in the operation of an airport and airline.
