The hotel industry in Ghana is facing a crisis as the number of tourists opting for foreign accommodation units, particularly Airbnb, continues to rise. But what is Airbnb? Simply put, Airbnb is a online platform that allows individuals to rent out their properties, such as apartments, houses, villas, or even just a room, to travelers and tourists.
According to the 2023 Ghana Tourism Report, hotel stays have declined by five percent in recent years, while Airbnb usage has surged from 11.5 percent in 2021 to 27 percent in 2023. Hotel owners and stakeholders are concerned that the sector’s multiple taxes are driving tourists away and making it difficult for them to compete with foreign accommodation units like Airbnb.
“We are struggling to keep up with the competition from Airbnb and other foreign accommodation units,” said the President of the Association. “The multiple taxes we pay are making it difficult for us to offer competitive rates to tourists. We urge the government to review the tax regime and create a more conducive environment for the tourism industry to thrive.”
The rise of Airbnb in Ghana has been rapid, with the platform offering a wide range of accommodation options to tourists. While this has provided more choices for tourists, it has also made it challenging for local hotel owners to compete.
“We are not against competition, but we want a level playing field,” said the President. “We want the government to recognize the challenges we are facing and take steps to address them. We believe that with the right support, the tourism industry can contribute significantly to Ghana’s economic growth.”
The government has been urged to take immediate action to address the concerns of hotel owners and stakeholders. Failure to do so may result in a further decline in hotel stays and a loss of critical tourist numbers to foreign accommodation units like Airbnb.
As the tourism industry continues to struggle, hotel owners and stakeholders remain hopeful that the government will take the necessary steps to support them. “We are confident that with the right support, we can turn things around and make Ghana’s tourism industry thrive,” said the President.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
