Airbnb must be regulated to ensure fair competition – GHA demands

The Ghana Hotels Association(GHA) is calling for greater regulatory oversight of Airbnb operations in the country, citing an uneven playing field that could negatively impact the formal hospitality sector.

Airbnb is a global online platform that connects travelers with hosts offering short-term vacation rentals, acting as a marketplace for peer-to-peer home sharing.

Speaking at the launch of the association’s 50th Anniversary celebrations in Accra, President of the GHA, Dr. Edward Ackah-Nyamike Jnr. voiced concerns about the lack of regulation governing short-term rental platforms like Airbnb, which continue to gain popularity among travelers and locals alike.

“Do they pay value added tax? Do they pay the NHIL? Do they pay the GETFUND? Do they pay the COVID-19 levy?” he asked. “If they’re not paying all these, then that means they are creating an unfair environment.”

According to Dr. Ackah-Nyamike, these omissions allow Airbnb hosts to offer significantly cheaper rates compared to traditional hotels, which are bound by strict tax obligations and regulatory standards.

“In their cost build-up and in setting their rates, they’re not considering some of these things. We do!” he noted. “And we’ll turn around and say the hotels are expensive and they are providing a cheaper source of accommodation.”

He emphasized that the issue goes beyond the interests of hotels and cuts across all regulatory bodies responsible for the accommodation sector.

“The regulation is not just about the Ghana Hotels Association,” Dr. Ackah-Nyamike said. “It’s about every other mandate that has been given to regulate the accommodation sector. So, if Airbnb is in their space, then they also have to go through that scrutiny.”

The GHA’s call for action comes as part of broader conversations around fairness, compliance, and sustainability in Ghana’s evolving hospitality landscape. As the association celebrates five decades of advocacy and service, it continues to push for policies that promote a level playing field for all industry players. The anniversary celebration is scheduled to consist of events such as a Health Walk in Ho, a symposium, and several other lineup of activities. The GHA was formed in 1975 and made up of hotel owners, directors, and accredited representatives of hotels nationwide.

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