Quintana Roo to embed Visitax tourism tax in airline tickets by 2027

The government of Mexico’s Quintana Roo state plans to overhaul the collection of the Visitax, a $15 tourism levy, by incorporating it into airline ticket prices. The initiative, announced by State Tourism Secretary Bernardo Cueto Riestra, aims to raise the current compliance rate of roughly 10% by automating the charge at the point of sale or on arrival through coordination with Aeropuertos del Sureste (ASUR) and international airlines.

The new mechanism is expected to be technically defined in the second half of 2026, with implementation slated for 2027. Authorities say the change will simplify payment for visitors, curb fraud associated with separate online portals, and protect the competitiveness of the Mexican Caribbean. Revenues from Visitax fund beach maintenance, sargassum removal, tourism infrastructure and promotion, which have suffered from low collection and consequent budget cuts.

The plan follows earlier attempts to have hotels collect the tax, which were abandoned after limited success.