The Ghana Hotels Association (GHA) has called on the government to bring Airbnb operators into the tax net to ensure fairness and parity within the hospitality sector.
According to the Second Vice President of the GHA in charge of Operations, Benjamin Afunya, these short-term rental operators generate significant revenue and charge high rates without being subject to standard regulatory and tax frameworks.
Speaking in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Mr Afunya defended the high cost of hotel accommodation in the country, arguing that the rates reflect the heavy financial burdens hoteliers face in their daily operations. He lamented that the hotel industry is currently suffocating under the weight of roughly 20 multiple and duplicate taxes, levies, and regulatory charges.
Detailing the extensive financial liabilities imposed on registered hoteliers, he highlighted statutory obligations such as the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL), Value Added Tax (VAT), Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) levy, COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy, and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) levy.
Mr Afunya added that hoteliers are required to settle Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permit fees, Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) charges, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assembly (MMDA) rates, National Fire Service fees, Data Protection Authority fees, local property rates, suitability report levies, and Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO) licensing fees. These are compounded by Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributions for staff alongside general maintenance, utilities, and wages, all of which drive up room rates.
“The hotel industry is paying roughly 20 multiple and duplicate taxes, levies, and regulatory charges. But there are new ventures coming up who are not paying anything. One particular one are those operating the Airbnb. Their operations are not regularised. We therefore call on government to regularise their operations. Let them pay as we are paying. There are several people who have transformed their facilities into Airbnb and are charging exorbitant accommodation prices, but they are not paying anything. They have to pay as we are also paying,” Mr Afunya stated.
Emphasising the need for equity, he noted that despite years of assurances by authorities to widen the tax net, a disproportionate burden remains on a compliant few while others operate scot-free without contributing to state revenue.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
