Accra: The President of the Ghana Association of Travel and Tour Agents, Frank Annin-Bonsu, has voiced concerns that Ghana's aviation policy does not sufficiently support the business operations of travel and tour agents within the country. Speaking at the 5th AviationGhana Breakfast Meeting held in Accra, Annin-Bonsu highlighted the disproportionately high cost of domestic travel compared to international destinations like Dubai.
According to Ghana Web, Annin-Bonsu pointed out that the expenses associated with domestic travel in Ghana include high costs for hotels, pricey airport transfers, and limited infrastructure, which collectively render the country an expensive destination for both domestic and international tourists. He shared a personal experience of paying $100 for an airport transfer from Kotoka International Airport to Achimota, a service that would have cost significantly less in Dubai.
Annin-Bonsu emphasized the disparity by noting, "Compared to what Sylvia was saying about Dubai and why most Ghanaians travel there more often than they do for domestic trips, domestic travel is a bit more expensive. Even the hotels here are very, very expensive. It would take you just $30 or $40 for an airport transfer in Dubai to your hotel, mostly around the main city center."
Furthermore, Annin-Bonsu urged the government to consider implementing price regulation measures to make domestic travel more affordable. He noted the lack of infrastructure and competition, which leads to overcharging by service providers. "So, I think the government should look at price control, and if we can do something about it, it will help our domestic tourism a lot," he added.
Ghana's aviation policy, governed by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) under the Civil Aviation Act, 2024 (Act 1120), primarily focuses on stringent safety oversight, compliance with international standards set by the ICAO, and positioning the nation as a regional aviation hub. While progress has been made, especially with the modernization of Kotoka International Airport, the policy has not adequately addressed the affordability and accessibility of domestic travel.
Airlines operating within Ghana continue to endure high operational costs, including expensive fuel, taxes, and airport charges, all of which are passed on to passengers, making domestic flights costly compared to international routes.