TORONTO — A Toronto-based company has been put in charge of collecting Cancun’s mandatory visitor tax.

Implemented in April 2021, Quintana Roo’s VISITAX is an infrastructure improvement tax that all travel operators, airlines and other providers are mandated to collect on behalf of the state, which includes popular destinations like Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel, among others.

Travelkore, based in Toronto, has been appointed by Quintana Roo to automate the collection of VISITAX via its payment platform. Tim Scurry, CEO of the Torkore group of companies, said it was “quite an honour to be chosen as a unique provider of the fulfillment platform.”

The original statement from Quintana Roo’s General Director of the Tax Administration Service, Héctor Josè Contreras Mercader, about the tax reads: “All providers of services related to activities provided to foreign tourists entering the State of Quintana Roo, are informed that in compliance with article 51-Octies of the Law of Rights of the State of Quintana Roo, any foreign visitor, upon entering the State of Quintana Roo, must pay a fee for the use or exploitation of real estate of the public domain of the State of Quintana Roo, with the exception of those who enter through the Southern Border of the Entity.” 

HOW MUCH IS THE TAX?

The Quintana Roo State VISITAX costs US$18.80 per person and must be paid by all non-residential visitors prior to arrival at Cancun International Airport (CUN). Cash payments are not permitted upon arrival. Individuals arriving via land through the Quintana Roo’s southern border are exempt from paying the tax.

HOW DO YOU PAY?

According to Scurry, the Travelkore’s user-friendly system provides travellers with a QR code, which is presented upon customs entry at the Cancun airport. Upon departure, the QR code is then cancelled. 

The payment of the VISITAX on Travelkore’s platform is currently being integrated into the booking systems of airlines, tour operators, OTAs and GDS such as Amadeus.

CAN YOU PAY FOR MULTIPLE PEOPLE?

A group of up to 10 persons can be processed on a single transaction, making it convenient for families and friends travelling to Quintana Roo together.

WHAT SHOULD TRAVEL AGENTS KNOW?

According to Scurry, travel advisors can earn a small referral fee per payment on the Travelkore payment link. 

In addition to simplifying the payment process, the Travelkore ecosystem also provides free health and safety support tools such as Safekore, Quintana Roo’s Guest Assist embedded link, and Nurse Concierge.

For more information about VISITAX, click here or go to https://travelkore.app/ or www.travelkore.com