New Tourism Law and Taxation of Digital Platforms
The state government of Morelos has introduced a new Tourism Law that will regulate and tax digital platforms offering short-term accommodation starting from 2026. These platforms will be responsible for collecting the Impuesto Sobre Hospedaje (ISH), similar to hotels.
Daniel Altafi, the Secretary of Tourism, stated: “We can now move towards taxing platforms that mediate this hospitality service. This will increase ISH revenue by 25% to 30%, expanding the promotion budget for the destination.”
Previous Efforts and Legal Framework
In 2025, the Morelos government had already included digital platform revenue (like Airbnb) in its economic package but lacked a specific legal framework to support and regulate this taxation. The new law aims to organize, professionalize, and ensure fairness in the tourism sector by recognizing 18 tourism segments and providing a legal basis for Morelos’s tourism brand.
Growth and Performance
Morelos is expected to surpass 2024 indicators in hotel occupancy, economic impact, and visitor arrivals, according to Altafi. The final data will be unveiled by the governor in her February 2026 state-of-the-government address.
- This positive trend is attributed to the sustained promotion strategy, “La Primavera de México,” which included digital and physical advertising along the Mexico-Cuernavaca highway.
- The last two weeks of the year are anticipated to see a significant influx of tourists, particularly from central Mexico, enjoying Morelos’s pleasant climate.
Looking Forward to FIFA 2026
Altafi emphasized the significant opportunity that FIFA 2026 presents for Morelos. Cuernavaca has been identified as a potential alternate host city for tourists during the event.
He announced that the upcoming January will see the final assessments of the metro area’s airports to evaluate their operational capacity for the international event.
“Morelos will be considered an essential destination during FIFA 2026’s development,” Altafi added.
