The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) in the Central Region has temporarily shut down four hospitality facilities for failing to meet some of the country’s tourism regulations.
The affected facilities are Elmina Beach Resort in Elmina, as well as Savoy Hotel, Veke Executive Lodge, and Wiz Homes, an Airbnb property, all located in Cape Coast.
According to the GTA, some of the facilities were operating without the required licences, while others had failed to pay the tourism levy.
Some were also found to have poor or substandard facilities and were providing unsatisfactory services to customers.
The GTA also placed caution notices on some facilities that were not yet licensed or operating but were believed to be preparing to accommodate visitors during the Oguaa Fetu Afahye celebrations in September.
The shutdowns are part of an ongoing enforcement exercise by the GTA to make sure hospitality businesses follow the law ahead of the Fetu Afahye celebrations.
Charles Buabin, the Regional Director of Tourism, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the affected businesses had been given several warnings but failed to correct the issues.
He explained that all accommodation businesses, including Airbnb properties, must be registered and licensed before they can legally operate.
“In the laws of Ghana, Airbnb is not stated as a facility. All accommodation enterprises are supposed to be registered and licensed before they can operate,” he said.
Buabin added that the affected facilities would have to fix the problems identified by the GTA and pay the required fines before they would be allowed to reopen.
He also advised the public to check whether a hotel, lodge, or other accommodation facility has a valid GTA licence before booking or staying there.
The GTA says the enforcement exercise will continue as it works to ensure that hospitality businesses across the region meet the required standards and provide safe and quality services to visitors.
