In an effort to financially recover from the coronavirus pandemic, the government of Quintana Roo, (Mexico), has announced that foreign tourists will be charged a $10 fee to enter the state.
This new tax will go into effect on April 1, 2021.
The tourism industry in Mexico and throughout the rest of the world has been hit hard by the pandemic.
Although Cancun and other popular destinations in Quintana Roo are still seeing plenty of tourists, businesses have had severe financial losses this year due to travel restrictions and capacity limitations.
Quintana Roo’s Secretary for Tourism, Marisol Vanegas, says that the $10 fee is not expected to affect the number of foreign tourists traveling to the state.
For most travelers, $10 is a small sum compared to the cost of a flight and a hotel stay.
However, some travel agencies and hoteliers are concerned about the effects of the tax. There is a possibility that travelers will opt to visit other nearby destinations that don’t charge a fee.
The International Air Transport Association and the The International Air Transport Association and the National Air Transport Chamber have both protested the tax, warning that it will discourage travelers from visiting Quintana Roo when the state is most in need of the tourism revenue.
Airlines are worried about the logistics of collecting the tax from arriving visitors. If travelers have to pay the fee at customs, wait times may increase, which could further discourage tourists from visiting.
Cancun airport officials report that almost 3 million visitors have arrived in the city since they reopened in June.
More travel is expected during the holiday season and throughout 2021, so collecting and processing the tax will be an enormous task.
Officials hope that the tourism fee will offset some of the financial devastation Quintana Roo has experienced during the pandemic.
Foreign travelers who are expecting to visit the state next year should factor the tax into their plans.
