According to Francisco Madrid Flores, director of the Starc consultancy in Cancun, a recent study on the impact of platforms like Airbnb revealed that hosts in Quintana Roo average 2.7 units each. This suggests that Airbnb hosting is shifting from self-employment to a business model.
Madrid Flores argues that regulating these lodging centers is necessary to create a “level playing field.” He noted that last year, 21,750 units were reported to have hosted at least once a month, with 7,500 units owned by individual proprietors. “This indicates that it is not a collaborative economy but rather a business,” he said, highlighting that a single owner’s earnings exceeding 2.7 million pesos necessitate regulation.
The recent changes to the Tourism Law in Quintana Roo mandate that Airbnb hosts must:
– Pay a 6% lodging tax
– Obtain an operating license
– Register in a state registry
However, currently, these units are constructed like any other building, without the required impact studies.
Airbnb recently filed an appeal against the 50% restriction on the number of nights hosts can rent out their units per year. The platform argued that this restriction did not consider the concerns of local citizens who depend on the income generated by this activity. Despite working with authorities to develop an initial regulatory proposal, the regulation was not fully adapted to the realities of tourist accommodation in Mexico City. This regulation was approved in October 2024 by the Mexico City government.
Madrid Flores’ insights and the ongoing regulatory changes highlight the evolving landscape of short-term rentals in Quintana Roo and the need for balanced regulations.
Source: Reportur
