Hotel operators in the Upper East Region are calling for an urgent review of the multiple taxes, levies and regulatory charges imposed on businesses in the hospitality sector, warning that the growing financial burden is threatening the survival and competitiveness of some hotels.
Chairman of the Upper East Hoteliers Association and Manager of Tap Hotel, Simon Aluzeele, says the hospitality industry is being squeezed by charges from several regulatory agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Ghana National Fire Service and Municipal Assemblies.
He is appealing to government and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) to harmonise the various charges and regulatory requirements to make it easier for hotels to remain in business.
“Our members across the various regions continue to grapple with the overwhelming multiplicity of taxes, levies and penalty charges imposed by agencies including the EPA, FDA, the Fire Service, the Municipal Assemblies and a host of other regulatory bodies.”
Mr Aluzeele said the situation is not only increasing operational costs but also reducing the profitability of hotels and discouraging potential investors from entering the sector.
“This multiplicity does not only erode profitability; it discourages us and undermines our competitiveness within the destination in the southern regions,” he stated.
He called for a coordinated regulatory framework that would streamline the various charges and reduce what he described as the excessive burden on hospitality businesses.
According to him, the GTA, as the principal regulator of the tourism sector, must work with government and other regulatory institutions to address the concerns of operators.
“We respectfully renew our appeal to government and the Ghana Tourism Authority, our principal regulator, to initiate a harmonised framework that will keep us in business,” he said.
Mr Aluzeele said creating a more predictable regulatory and tax environment would enable hotels to improve service delivery, sustain jobs and contribute more effectively to local economic development.
His comments were made at the Ghana Tourism Authority Tourism Awards Night 2026 held at the Akayet Hotel in the Upper East Region.
The event, held under the theme “Celebrating Excellence Beyond Borders – The Black Star Experience,” brought together hoteliers, tourism operators, government representatives and other industry stakeholders to celebrate contributions to tourism development.
The awards also provided a platform for industry players to highlight persistent challenges confronting the sector and call for reforms to support sustainable growth.
Mr Aluzeele urged government, the GTA and other regulatory agencies to engage hospitality operators in finding practical solutions to the multiple charges.
He said a supportive regulatory environment would be critical to keeping hotels operational and strengthening the tourism sector’s contribution to employment and economic development in the Upper East Region.
Source: Bolgafmonline.com| 102.7 MHz| Joseph Anaaya| Bolgatanga
