Mexican state that includes Cancun and Tulum to introduce tourism tax

The tax is expected to raise £21m this year

Tourists near the ancient Maya city at Tulum (AP)

A region of Mexico popular with holidaymakers is to charge tourists a tax for visiting.

The state of Quintana Roo, which includes the popular beach resorts of Cancun and Tulum, will levy a tax of 224 pesos ($11/£7.80) per tourist from 1 April.

The tax will apply to all international visitors over the age of 15 and will be enforced on departure, according to local media.

Tourists will be able to pay the new tax through a website called “Visitax” either when booking their trip; during their stay; or upon leaving the state. There will also be booths set up at Cancun International Airport that will accept cash.

The only exemption is for visitors from Belize, who will get a 10 per cent discount due to the high number of people who cross the border to visit the town of Chetumal.

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The money raised from the tax, which was rubber stamped at the end of last year, will be used to support tourism jobs in the region.

The tax is expected to raise 600 million pesos (£21m) this year, as 4.5 million tourists flock to the state for a holiday.

Mexico is currently open to international tourists, with no testing requirement, and visitors have to complete a health questionnaire on arrival.

International travel for leisure purposes is currently banned in the UK until 17 May at the earliest.