Cozumel Hoteliers Push for Fair Taxation Amid Vacation Rental Surge

Hoteliers in Cozumel have reported a 10% annual decrease in room-night occupancy. They attribute this decline to the growing popularity of vacation rentals on digital platforms. Beatriz Tinajero Tarriba, president of the Cozumel Hotel Association, noted that this trend has been negatively impacting traditional hotels for over five years.

In the past, hotels in Cozumel enjoyed full occupancy even during off-peak seasons. However, the rising preference for vacation rentals has significantly reduced the number of hotel guests. Despite these new accommodations becoming part of the local tourism landscape, Tinajero Tarriba stressed the importance of them contributing equitably to tax payments and duties.

"We are calling on the authorities to ensure everyone is taxed fairly," she stated. "Just as we are charged, so should those who operate through these platforms."

The lack of oversight and a dedicated body for tax collection has allowed vacation rentals to avoid these obligations. Tinajero Tarriba suggested that the revenue from these taxes could be used to promote Cozumel as a tourist destination and improve its infrastructure.

The hoteliers are urgently calling on the government to establish mechanisms for supervision and to ensure fair taxation. They believe this will not only level the playing field between hotels and vacation rentals, but also bolster the local economy by providing more funds for the promotion and development of Cozumel as a tourist hotspot.