Tourist Tax Refund?

Mexico to refund taxes on visits to Ixtapa Zihuatanejo

But… not on your hotel bill!

[Excerpts]

In light of slow economic growth in Mexico, the Tourism Ministry announced a tax credit on May 15 in the hopes of maintaining tourist interest
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Starting in June at five main airports, foreign tourists who have spent at least 1,200 pesos ($115) in approved shops will be able to use kiosks to claim back the 15% tax that had been charged on souvenirs and other goods they bought at various resorts and cities, the Mexico Tourism Ministry said on May 15.
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Benjamín Díaz, the Tourism Ministry official charged with improving regulations governing the industry, says 80% of foreign tourists visiting Mexico were from the U.S. The move is aimed largely at keeping working- and middle-class Americans flocking to Mexico’s pristine beaches and Mayan ruins.
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The break will apply to shopping, not to hotels or restaurants. It will first be available at Mexico City, Cancún, Guadalajara, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta airports. Five more airports, including those at Cozumel and Mazatlán, will join the list by the beginning of 2009, followed by the rest of the country’s airports and cruise ship maritime ports.
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Of the money they can claim back at airports, tourists will be able to get half in cash pesos, up to a maximum of 10,000 pesos ($955). The rest will be credited to their bank accounts or credit cards within 40 days. Officials are hoping the windfall will tempt some returning tourists into the country’s own duty-free shops.

Good start. Too bad you won’t be able to claim the refund on your hotel bill, but something is better than nothing. There is also no mention of a date as yet for the Ixtapa Zihuatanejo airport, but it will make flying through Mexico City a little less onerous.

As soon as we find out more, we’ll let you know at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Mexico Blog.