10 Things You Should Know About Tour Bus Operators in Ghana

The tour and travel industry in Ghana has been going through some rough times as of late. In October of last year, the New York Times published an article that exposed the seedy underbelly of the Ghanaian tour business. The article made several claims about operators who work with tourists to visit heritage sites in Ghana. It alleged that these operators were corrupt and greedy, siphoning off much-needed revenue from travelers and keeping it for themselves rather than passing it on to the local communities. The article went so far as to say that visiting a site in Ghana was more likely to leave you with malaria than any favorable memories of the country or its people. This is how this industry works in any part of the world – even where there are no negative articles written about them. Any business can be prone to one person’s greed or dishonesty, but most operators are not like that and do their best to ensure visitors have a great experience and feel welcomed by them as well as their communities.

What You Should Know About Tour Guides and Bus Operators in Ghana

The first thing to know about tour operators in Ghana is that many of them are not “operators” in the sense that most people think of them. For example, your tour operator might not have his own vehicle or bus to take you around in. Instead, he might only be responsible for setting up the itinerary for your trip. He might also be responsible for sourcing transportation for you. He may have an agreement with a driver or bus driver to take you around, or he may arrange to share a vehicle with other operators. In many cases, a tour operator will source transportation from an existing (and reputable) transportation company. This company may already have a fleet of buses, drivers, and staff in place. The tour operator will simply be responsible for telling his clients where they need to go and what they need to see, and then booking seats on the bus. In this case, your driver may not even be the operator you booked your trip with. He may just be an employee of the transportation company. In that case, the transportation company may also be responsible for paying any entrance or site fees for you.

How to Find a Good Tour Guide or Bus Operator in Ghana

When you are on the hunt for a tour operator or guide in Ghana, the first step is to determine what kind of trip you want to take. Do you want to visit a specific site? Do you want to take an African safari? Do you want to see the wildlife in Ghana? Do you want to visit Cape Coast or other coastal cities? What you want to do will determine what kind of tour operator you need to find. The best place to start is with the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA). The GTA partners with many tour operators and guides to bring visitors to the country. It is best to book with one of their partners to ensure you are getting what you pay for. The GTA also offers information on each operator so that you can determine if they are right for you.

Tips for Choosing a Good Tour Guide or Bus Operator in Ghana

If you are going to work with a tour guide or operator, then you want to make sure they are licensed and insured. This can be verified with the GTA or on the Ghana Tourism Board website. You should also ask about the guides’ or operators’ backgrounds. Since many people in Ghana are financially poor but education rich, you may find that many tour guides are former professors or teachers. This is not a bad thing, but you should nevertheless ask about their backgrounds and see if you feel comfortable with them as your guide. This is important because your guide or bus operator will be responsible for your safety and security in addition to showing you around. They will also likely be the person who collects your entrance fees, so you want to be sure that you can trust them. If your guide or operator is licensed, then they should be covered by the company that employs them. This means you should get compensation if something happens to you – even if it is not your guide’s fault.

Scams to Watch Out For When Finding a Tour Guide or Bus Operator in Ghana

The biggest scam in the Ghanaian tourist industry is the “forced tipping” scam. This is when a tour guide asks you to tip them. They may even call it a “gift” or “bribe” to urge you to give them more than is necessary. The best way to avoid this is to make sure that you have a “flow” of money from you to the guide, then from the guide to the driver and any other employees, and finally from the driver or employees back to the guide. This will make tipping a lot more straightforward because you will know who to give money to and when. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do if a guide or operator comes to you privately and asks for a tip. The best way to avoid this is to make sure you are clear with them about when and where you will be giving tips.

The Dangers of Touring Without an Escort

There is no doubt that touring Ghana can be dangerous. You must be aware of pickpockets, robbers, and other scams to avoid them. In addition, you should avoid driving at night unless absolutely necessary. If you do have to drive at night, make sure your car has a high-quality, bright, and non-dimming headlight. You should also be careful of driving on certain roads, particularly the road between Kumasi and Obuasi. This stretch of road has claimed many lives due to bad road conditions. Finally, you should be careful of the front-end of your vehicle. Because pedestrians walk on the sides of the roads in Ghana, you must be careful not to run into people or animals.

Conclusion

Tourism is an important sector in the Ghanaian economy, and it has the potential to create even more jobs and revenue. However, it is important to choose a responsible operator and follow some basic safety tips while visiting the country. If you plan to visit Ghana, make sure you do your research before booking anything. Read online reviews of operators, ask fellow travelers for recommendations, and make sure you are clear on what you are paying for. With a little bit of research, you can enjoy an amazing experience in Ghana without any trouble or hassle.