{
  "id": 12317192,
  "title": "High taxes, water shortages push up hotel operating costs — Hotels Association",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/high-taxes-water-shortages-push-up-hotel-operating-costs-hotels",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-06T05:33:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/high-taxes-water-shortages-push-up-hotel-operating-costs-hotels-association/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hotel operators are expressing concern over the mounting pressure on the hospitality industry due to increased taxes, utility bills, and other operational expenses. This challenge is particularly acute in the Central Region of Ghana, where some hotels in Elmina have had to resort to using water tankers due to prolonged water supply interruptions. According to the Ghana Hotels Association, the extra costs associated with securing water are exacerbating an already difficult operational environment, forcing hotels to secure alternative water sources for rooms and facilities like swimming pools. The association's president, Victor Minta, noted that the situation in Elmina has been ongoing for nearly three months, causing hotels to incur substantial expenses for tanker services. \"Currently, the cost of business is very high, such that in the Central Region, in Elmina specifically, for nearly three months, there’s been no water flowing through the taps,\" Minta stated. In addition to water shortages, Minta also highlighted the significant tax burden on hotels, noting that approximately 20% of revenue from room sales goes directly to taxes, leaving only about 80 cedis for operating costs. Despite these pressures, the association is preparing promotional offers for the upcoming festive season, aiming to attract more guests and promote longer stays with packages such as providing the fifth night free when visitors book several nights.",
  "summary": "Hotel operators are warning of growing pressure on the hospitality industry as rising taxes, utility bills and other operational expenses make it increasingly difficult to keep accommodation costs affordable.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}