The secretary of the Tourism Commission of the local Congress, Aldo Márquez Becerra, acknowledged that the federation is needed to regulate platforms that offer digital accommodations and prevent them from being unfair competition to traditional hotels.
Following the closure of five hotels in the capital, reported by the Citizen Movement councilor, Liliana Preciado Zárate, she said the causes must be studied, although she also acknowledged that the union’s repeated complaint is the lack of regulation of the platforms that offer accommodations.
“First, I express my solidarity with the hotel sector. I’ve truly said it: anyone who opens a hotel, a restaurant, or anyone involved in the tourism sector is betting on their dreams, their assets, and making commitments. The tourism sector generates almost 10 percent of this state’s Gross Domestic Product. The tourism sector provides almost 200,000 direct jobs in the tourism sector alone. Well, it’s unfortunate that someone dedicated to the hotel industry finds themselves having to close a hotel permanently.”
He said it’s important to strengthen public policies, contribute financially to promotion, and take care of all sectors.
“The 8 million pesos I allocated to the budget was directly focused on tourism. I think those are tangible actions that we must support.”
He stated that the two heritage cities and the six magical towns are constantly being promoted, as is the case with the 46 municipalities, as they all have something to offer in terms of tourism.
He acknowledged that hoteliers continue to demand regulation of accommodations offered through platforms, and although it is a state tax, he reiterated that the federal government is needed to regulate it through the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit.
“We have discussed issues, for example, with platforms that are not covered by the Tourism Law, and that are also not covered by the Treasury Law due to the lodging tax, but we do have legislation on platforms, and hoteliers themselves have said: ‘I don’t feel the playing field is level in terms of competition with short-stay accommodations that may be offered through platforms.'”
He recalled that in the last legislative session, when he chaired the Tourism Commission, there were working groups to discuss the issue, and although other states already regulate the tax that platforms must pay, they do so through trusts, making it difficult to audit the resource.
The state of Guanajuato will experience maximum temperatures of up to 32°C and winds of up to 50 km/h, mainly in western municipalities. Recent rainfall exceeded the May average, but a dry week is expected.
“We are also seeking the rule of law, ensuring that every peso that enters the public coffers is auditable and traceable, and this is where the platforms have not been able to unblock this issue. That’s why I think it’s important… there is intervention at the federal level; the federation is needed to make this regularization more tangible.”
Source: oem
