### Airbnb is Regulated in Baja California, Confirms Tourism Secretary
Miguel Aguíñiga Rodríguez, the Secretary of Tourism for Baja California, has affirmed that Airbnb operations in the state are indeed regulated. Unlike other states in Mexico that have intensified their supervision of such platforms, Aguíñiga Rodríguez mentioned that no new provisions are expected in Baja California.
“Baja California was a pioneer and among the first to impose lodging tax on platforms. What is happening in the rest of the country is that they are following the lead of states like Baja California, which already had the lodging tax for platforms,” Aguíñiga Rodríguez stated.
The tax rate in Baja California is 5%, which applies equally to both traditional hotels and technological platforms. “We are advising several states along with the federal government on how Baja California is managing the lodging tax so that other states can implement it. What you see happening elsewhere is following what we have been doing for a couple of years,” he added.
Despite the growth of Airbnb, the tourism secretary insisted that there is no dissatisfaction among hoteliers in the region. Additionally, there are no plans to impose further restrictions on these platforms. “Hotels and platforms can coexist. We’re working normally, with the primary focus being the lodging tax, which was something requested by hoteliers nationwide. However, in Baja California, we had already implemented it, and it doesn’t change how we operate with platforms, with whom we have very good communication and collaboration,” concluded Aguíñiga Rodríguez.
### Secondary Article: Nationwide Trends in Regulating Airbnb
In recent trends reported across various states in Mexico, there has been a growing move to regulate Airbnb and similar lodging platforms. For example, Jalisco has recently introduced tighter regulations, including mandatory registration and compliance with specific health and safety standards. The aim is to create a level playing field for all lodging providers and ensure the safety and satisfaction of tourists.
Similarly, Mexico City has launched initiatives that would require platforms to remit taxes directly to the municipality. Authorities argue that this will not only increase revenue but also allow for better oversight and enforcement of local laws. The capital city has been witnessing a surge in short-term rentals, and these regulations are seen as a necessary step to manage this growth effectively.
Moreover, Quintana Roo, home to the popular tourist destination of Cancún, has been debating new regulations to ensure that short-term rentals are properly zoned and adhere to building codes. These measures are aimed at protecting consumers and maintaining the quality of tourist accommodations.
As the trend towards regulating short-term rentals continues to grow in Mexico, Baja California’s existing framework offers a model for other states to follow, balancing innovation in tourism with regulatory oversight.