Mexico studies how to control platforms like 'Airbnb'

This article was written and published in Spanish and has been translated into English via Google Translate. Click here to read the original article.

It's expected that there will be less unfair competition in the rental sector with the recent increase of taxes

The Mexican Government wants holiday rental platforms such as Airbnb to pay taxes and prevent them from competing "unfairly" with the country's hotel industry, according to Mexican Tourism Minister Miguel Torruco.

During his speech at the presentation of the Mexican Government's tourism strategy, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said that he is working with other agencies, such as the Ministry of Finance, to oversee this type of platform.

"We are already working (...) to carry out the audit of the hotel extra-hotel offer in the case of Airbnb platforms," explained the minister in Chetumal, in Quintana Roo.

The minister has assured that the measure "will strengthen the fiscal income for the country but also the fundamental support for the collection of the lodging tax to promote and increase the tourist promotion in the states".

Airbnb is in several legal battles, especially in Europe and the United States, as cities try to limit the impact on rental prices and the availability of properties for long-term rental, as well as the effects of increased tourism on the residential neighborhoods.

The company has been forced to cut its listings in certain popular cities as part of the concessions to regulators.

Regarding Torruco's statements, an Airbnb spokesperson in Mexico said in an email that the company has an open dialogue with local governments as well as the tourism industry for the inclusion of individuals and small communities in the tourism sector.

"Airbnb currently cooperates with 11 local governments - seven in tax matters and five in collaboration - which include Baja ,California, Norte, and Sur, Oaxaca, Mexico City, Guerrero, Yucatan, Jalisco, Sinaloa, Colima and Quintana Roo. " said the spokesman.

This article was written and published in Spanish and has been translated into English via Google Translate. Click here to read the original article.

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