Players in Ghana’s tourism and hospitality industry have expressed concern over the introduction of a new airport levy, warning that the additional charge could increase operational costs and affect the competitiveness of the sector.
Speaking during a session of the Citi Business Festival, Chief Executive Officer of Konfidants, a tourism and destination management company, highlighted the potential impact of the levy on businesses that rely heavily on international travel and visitor arrivals.
According to the company, while efforts to generate revenue for infrastructure development are understandable, additional taxes and levies imposed on air travel risk making Ghana a more expensive destination for tourists and business travelers.
The CEO noted that the tourism sector is still recovering from the effects of global economic challenges and disruptions to international travel in recent years. As a result, any increase in travel-related costs could discourage potential visitors and reduce demand for tourism services.
“Every additional charge introduced at the airport ultimately affects the cost of travel. These costs are often passed on to travelers, making destinations less competitive compared to others in the region,” the CEO explained.
Industry stakeholders argue that Ghana must strike a balance between raising revenue and maintaining an attractive environment for tourists. They warn that higher travel costs could impact hotels, tour operators, transport providers, restaurants, and other businesses that depend on visitor spending.
The concerns were raised as part of discussions on strategies to strengthen Ghana’s tourism industry and position the country as a leading destination in West Africa. Participants stressed the importance of policies that encourage travel, investment, and visitor growth rather than creating barriers that could limit the sector’s expansion.
Despite the concerns, tourism operators remain optimistic about the long-term prospects of the industry, citing Ghana’s rich cultural heritage, historical attractions, and growing international reputation as key strengths. However, they are urging policymakers to engage industry players before implementing measures that could increase the cost of travel.
The Citi Business Festival continues to serve as a platform for dialogue between policymakers, business leaders, and industry experts on critical issues affecting Ghana’s economy and the private sector.
Tourism stakeholders say sustained collaboration between government and industry will be essential to ensuring that revenue-generation measures do not undermine the growth potential of one of the country’s most important economic sectors.
