MAZATLÁN, Mexico – Hotel operators in Mazatlán have expressed surprise at a scheduled increase in the Non-Resident Fee (DNR) for 2027 and are now proposing that a portion of the revenue be specifically earmarked for federal tourism promotion.
José Ramón Manguart, president of the Tres Islas Hotel Association, admitted that the fee hike was not on his radar. He recalled that these collections previously funded the Mexico Tourism Promotion Council (CPTM), an organization that was dissolved during the previous administration.
“I hope that with these increases, we can make a proposal so that a percentage of that revenue can once again be earmarked for the Federal Secretariat of Tourism, providing them with resources to boost the promotion of the country’s various tourist destinations,” Manguart stated.
The DNR is a fixed fee paid by foreigners entering Mexico. For those arriving by air, the fee is included in the price of the plane ticket.
Legislative Adjustments and Industry Pushback
The Commission of Finance and Public Credit of the Chamber of Deputies approved a fee of 1,158 pesos for next year, up from the current 983 pesos—an increase of 175 pesos per person.
The original 2027 Economic Package had proposed a hike to 1,334.80 pesos (a 35.8% increase). However, the figure was slashed nearly in half after the Mexican Caribbean Hotel Council and 44 other business organizations in the southeast urged the federal government to reconsider. These organizations argued that the fee adds to the cost of flights and the exchange rate, potentially making Mexico less competitive compared to other beach destinations. They also requested that part of the proceeds be dedicated to promotion, crisis management, and the country’s international image.
Allocation of Funds
According to the current decree, 57% of the collected funds would go to the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA), 15% to the National Migration Institute (INM), and the remaining 28% to the Federal Treasury.
Under this distribution, Defense would receive virtually the same amount for each payment as in 2026. Of the additional 175 pesos, approximately 173.70 pesos would be channeled to the INM for technological infrastructure, border security, and migration control systems.
The federal Secretary of Tourism, Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, stated in a communique that competitiveness cannot be achieved without modern, efficient, and secure migration processes. The agency maintains that the adjustment aims to streamline entry at airports, seaports, and land crossings.
Mireya Sosa Osuna, Secretary of Tourism of Sinaloa, agreed that modernizing migration services would benefit the state by providing more detailed data on the origin and flow of international visitors. “Having precise and timely data on international visitor flows is fundamental for states to perform better tourism planning and make strategic decisions based on reliable information,” she expressed.
The state department uses this data for promotion actions and to manage air connectivity. Sosa noted that both the OMA Group and various airlines frequently request this information. She clarified that while the Chamber of Deputies has approved the reform, it has been turned over to the Senate, meaning the increase is not yet final.
Market Impact and Projections
Manguart dismissed the idea that the DNR increase would force hotels to raise their room rates. “The issue of hotel rates is a matter of supply and demand, completely unrelated to the tax,” he affirmed. “What is within our control is strengthening tourist attractions and service quality.”
For the end of 2026, the association expects occupancy rates near 80% between December 26 and January 3 or 4, 2027. The tourism calendar leading up to this includes the October 30 bridge holiday, El Buen Fin, the Marathon, and the Ciclotour.
Manguart also highlighted promotional caravans and packages designed to attract visitors now that the hurricane season has concluded and the beaches are recovering. According to INEGI figures, Mexico received 59.71 million international travelers from January to July 2026, a 7% increase over the same period last year.
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