Tourism authorities move to regulate short-term vacation rentals

Authorities in Mexico and the Dominican Republic are moving toward stricter regulation of short-term vacation rentals to address competition with traditional hotel sectors and ensure tax compliance.

In Playa del Carmen, Mexico, municipal authorities are preparing a digital platform to register and regulate an estimated 14,000 to 16,000 vacation rental units. This initiative aims to incorporate owners and administrators of apartments, condos, and private rooms into the existing regulatory and fiscal framework, following state laws that recognize these hosts as tourism service providers.

In the Dominican Republic, there is growing pressure to regulate the short-term rental market, which has seen significant expansion. Reports indicate that by the end of 2025, short-stay properties reached approximately 56,973 units. Industry advocates and groups like the Dominican Association of Short Rentals (Adoreco) are participating in discussions regarding transparency and security. While Airbnb has expressed support for creating a registry to foster an inclusive and transparent environment, debates continue regarding whether regulation should be handled through national legislation or tourism ministry resolutions.