Airbnb services must be regulated to ensure fair competition – Hotels Association

The President of the Ghana Hotels Association (GHA), Dr Edward Ackah-Nyamike Jnr., has called for a proper regulatory framework to govern the Airbnb sector to ensure fair competition.

According to him, the lack of regulation in that sector has made it increasingly difficult for the traditional hospitality industry to remain competitive.

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

“Do they pay Value Added Tax? Do they pay the NHIL? Do they pay the GETFund levy? Do they pay the COVID-19 levy?” he asked. “If they’re not paying all these, then they are creating an unfair environment,” he was quoted as saying by myjoyonline.com.

Dr Ackah-Nyamike explained that without paying these taxes, Airbnb operators are able to offer cheaper rates than traditional hotels.

“In their cost build-up and in setting their rates, they’re not factoring in some of these obligations. But we do!” he noted.

“And then people turn around and say hotels are expensive, while Airbnb offers cheaper accommodation,” he added.

He emphasised that “regulation is not just about the Ghana Hotels Association. It concerns every authority mandated to regulate the accommodation sector. So, if Airbnb is operating in this space, they should also be subject to the same scrutiny.”

SSD/MA

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