**Government Approves New Taxes in Los Cabos**
Following an overwhelming decision, the legislative body has approved a reform to the Hacienda Law for Los Cabos. Initially sidelined for in-depth analysis by the Morena faction, the proposal made its way back for approval just 24 hours later, securing 19 votes in favor. This legislation will see increased and additional taxes in Los Cabos, commencing in 2025.
The 17th Legislature session saw the proposal pushed forward by the Labor Party, with the backing of Morena, the Green Ecologist Party, and New Alliance. An opposing vote came from PAN’s representative, Guadalupe Saldaña Cisneros. This reform will elevate various current taxes and introduce new contributors required to pay fees to Los Cabos’ municipal government, currently led by Mayor Christian Agúndez Gómez.
Those staying in hotels, B&Bs, hostels, and accommodations booked through digital platforms will continue to be liable for the environmental sanitation fee. Meanwhile, clientele spending over 434.28 pesos at bars and restaurants now fall under tax obligations, alongside those leasing vehicles or maritime vessels for leisure or sports within the municipality.
A key amendment in the reform is the hike from 2% to 3% on the Real Estate Acquisition Tax (ISABI). Furthermore, the reform spells out collection measures for the environmental sanitation fee. Establishments will retain and report collected fees, calculated based on 10% of the daily UMA value for spending exceeding 434 pesos.
PAN’s Guadalupe Saldaña Cisneros criticized the reform as unconstitutional and likened elements of it to a local Value Added Tax (VAT), potentially risking Baja California Sur’s federal resource allocations by violating fiscal coordination agreements.
Los Cabos’ Mayor Christian Agúndez holds a different view, emphasizing the reform’s importance in securing fiscal resources needed for sustaining public services and nurturing sustainable development, a sentiment echoed by Lilzi Orcí of the Hotel Association of Los Cabos in advocating for essential infrastructural improvements.
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**Related News on Tax Increases and Tourism Impact**
Amidst approval for increased taxes in Los Cabos, concerns parallel global acknowledgment of rising taxes affecting tourism hotspots. Stakeholders in regions relying heavily on tourism express apprehension as similar fiscal measures are debated worldwide. This wave of tax legislation intends to address evolving infrastructure demands and ecological challenges posed by rapidly growing tourist inflows.
In Europe, popular destinations have begun implementing “tourist taxes” aimed at minimizing ecological footprints and funding public amenities. Cities like Venice and Barcelona see these mitigations as necessary amidst overcrowding, albeit with corporates urging caution over potential declines in tourism appeal.
On the other side, destinations such as Hawaii have prioritized balancing tourist traffic with the protection and preservation of natural resources, dispelling potential lawsuit threats over alleged ecological negligence. This underscores the global pivot towards a recalibrated approach in taxing tourism, ensuring environmental sustainability while safeguarding economic benefits for local communities.
Both Los Cabos and its international counterparts stand at the forefront of a critical dialogue: finding equilibrium between fostering a thriving tourism sector and maintaining ecological and infrastructural integrity in a changing world.