Asetur promotes balanced regulation for digital lodging platforms in all states

The Association of Tourism Secretaries of Mexico (Asetur) announced the creation of a common regulatory framework for digital lodging platforms, with the aim of establishing a "level playing field" in the 32 states of the country, this within the framework of the agreements reached at the 64th Assembly of the association, held recently in San Luis Potosí, where 17 state tourism heads participated.

“We are working on a coordinated tax regulation and collection model that will allow all states, especially those that have not yet implemented these mechanisms, to have proven tools to regulate platforms like Airbnb,” said Bernardo Cueto Riestra, president of Asetur and Secretary of Tourism of Quintana Roo, during the press conference prior to the National Magical Towns Fair.

The official stressed that the regulation seeks to "strengthen the formalization of this activity, guarantee the effective application of the law to all tourism operators and combat informality," without hindering technological innovation.

Airbnb reported an economic contribution of 145 billion pesos, 300,000 jobs, and 37 billion pesos in labor income in Mexico during 2024. Meanwhile, its automated withholding system for the Lodging Tax (ISH) in 19 states of the country allowed it to collect 2.2 billion pesos between 2017 and 2023.

The Specialized Commission on Cruise Tourism was also presented, which will seek to consolidate the Mexico Cruise Route through interstate coordination and the use of the new federal tax on cruises to finance tourism infrastructure.

Preparations

The National Magical Towns Fair, which will take place from November 13 to 16 in Hidalgo, is expected to generate an estimated economic impact of 40 million pesos. The Secretary of Tourism for Hidalgo, Elizabeth Quintanar Gómez, explained that the event expects to receive more than 60,000 visitors and will feature the participation of the 177 Magical Towns in the country, as well as Nicaragua as the guest nation.

The organization has scheduled more than 90 daily business meetings with national and international buyers, including two international OTAs (Online Travel Agencies). The event will feature 29 exhibitors in the Barra Hidalgo area, dedicated to local producers. Among them are 15 producers from Hidalgo showcasing coffee, cheese, olive oil, honey, and nopal (prickly pear cactus) products, representing 13 municipalities in the state. Presentations from 13 other states have been confirmed, and the traditional medicine pavilion will include participants from 12 states, including Chihuahua, Mexico State, Guerrero, Guanajuato, Morelos, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, and Yucatán.