By Juliet ETEFE ([email protected])
The Ghana Hotels Association (GHA) has called on the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) and relevant stakeholders to expedite efforts to regulate Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms operating in the country.
They argued that the unregulated nature of such services creates an uneven playing field for traditional hotel operators.
Speaking at a press briefing to launch the Association’s 50th anniversary, president of the GHA, Dr. Edward Ackah-Nyamike Jnr., expressed concern that while hotels comply with stringent regulatory and tax obligations, Airbnb hosts operate largely outside the established regulatory framework.
Beyond the Ghana Tourism Authority (primary regulator), GHA also has bodies like the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Data Protection Commission (DPC) and National Insurance Commission (NIC) all regulating the industry one way or another.
“In recent times, even the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has joined in the industry’s regulation,” he added.
“We need to emphasise that we are not against the operations of Airbnb. What we are against is the unfair competition that continues to be created as a result of their non-regulation.
“We want a fair and competitive environment where everyone plays by the same rules. As it stands, the hotels are overburdened with multiple taxes, licencing fees and inspections, while Airbnb operators remain largely unregulated,” he stated.
According to Dr. Ackah-Nyamike, the proliferation of Airbnb units – especially during peak tourism seasons such as Christmas and the Year of Return festivities – has led to a significant shift in accommodation preferences among tourists.
This, he noted, is impacting hotel occupancy rates and potentially resulting in loss of revenue to both the industry and the state.
He acknowledged that GTA has initiated steps toward regulating the sector but insisted that more needs to be done, highlighting the potential for revenue losses to government due to uncollected taxes from unlicenced accommodation.
He urged the GTA to accelerate its regulatory plans and establish a transparent, accountable system for monitoring and taxing short-term rental operations.
According to the GHA, regulating platforms like Airbnb is essential not only for fairness in the hospitality industry but also ensuring quality, safety and national revenue optimisation.
GTA’s response
Responding to concerns raised, Sampson Ekow, Deputy Chief Executive Officer-Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), noted that significant strides have been made to bring the platform under regulation.
According to Mr. Ekow, the country currently hosts approximately 5,000 Airbnb listings with numbers steadily increasing due to the country’s growing tourism appeal.
“That is why, about three years ago, we began engaging them seriously,” he stated, explaining that the process has not been without challenges.
He added that to address regulatory limitations, GTA has introduced a “short-term rental services” framework to accommodate Airbnb-style accommodations.
While awaiting a formal amendment to LI2239 to fully incorporate short-term rental accommodation, GTA is currently issuing six-month provisional licences to these operators; thus ensuring a level of control and compliance.
“Our existing regulation – LI2239 – did not capture short-term rentals, so we created a provisional licencing system which runs for only six months and needs to be renewed…On their (Airbnb) Responsible Hosting page, they have declared that registration with GTA is mandatory before doing business in Ghana.
“This is a transitional measure until the legal framework is amended,” he said, assuring stakeholders that regulation is firmly underway.
