News Guide Africa

Tag: Ghana Tourism Authority

  • Ramadan Umrah 2026: Authorities Confirm Operations Proceeding Safely

    Ramadan Umrah 2026: Authorities Confirm Operations Proceeding Safely

    ​ACCRA, March 4, 2026 – The Association of Umrah Agencies in Ghana (AUAG) has moved to dispel growing concerns regarding the 2026 Ramadan Umrah season, reassuring the public that the holy pilgrimage is proceeding without interruption.

     

    ​In a comprehensive statement released today, the AUAG addressed recent media reports and social media speculation suggesting potential disruptions in the Gulf region. The Association, which comprises IATA-accredited and Ghana Tourism Authority-licensed agencies, confirmed that all systems remain “green” for Ghanaian pilgrims.

     

    ​Key Highlights of the Official Briefing:

     

    ​Airports Fully Operational: The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has confirmed that both Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport (Madinah) and King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah) are open and handling international traffic normally.

     

    ​Airlines on Schedule: Major carriers including EgyptAir, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, and Kenya Airways continue their scheduled flights from Accra to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

     

    ​Safety Guarantees: On March 4, the Saudi Ministry of Interior issued a global assurance that the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah are safe and secure.

     

    ​Ghanaian Pilgrims On-Ground: The AUAG reported that many Ghanaian pilgrims are already in the Holy Cities, performing their ‘ibādah (worship) peacefully.

     

    ​A Call for Calm

    ​The AUAG urged the Muslim Ummah to ignore unverified “viral” reports circulating on social media.

     

    ​”We wish to assure the Muslim community and the general public that Ramadan Umrah 2026 is proceeding normally worldwide. There has been no official suspension of operations,” the statement noted.

     

    ​Clarification on Refund Policies

     

    ​While providing reassurance on safety, the Association also took the opportunity to remind clients of the standard Ramadan Umrah policy. Due to the nature of bookings in the Kingdom during the peak season, payments made for packages are non-refundable.

     

    ​This non-refundable status applies to:

    ​Visa processing fees

    ​Pre-booked hotel accommodations

    ​Ground transportation services

    ​Percentages of airline group tickets

     

    ​The AUAG concluded by asking the nation to keep the pilgrims in their prayers as they pray for the peace and prosperity of the Republic of Ghana.

     

    ​Official Signatories:

     

    ​The statement was jointly signed by the leadership of Ghana’s top travel agencies, including:

    ​Hajj Abdel-Manan Abdel-Rahman (CEO, AMG Global Travel)

    ​Radia Adama Saani (CEO, Moontouch Travel Ltd & Association Spokesperson)

    ​Sulemana Issahaku (CEO, Shabasa Travel and Tours)

    ​Shamsudeen K A-S Alidu (CEO, Zaksaj Company Ltd)

    ​Alhaji Adamu Issaka (CEO, Tpaps Tours and Travel)

    ​Seth Ibrahim Ayi (CEO, Duapaye Travel and Tours)

    ​Mohammed M. Adamu (MD, Tofa Travel & Tours Ltd)

    ​Adeboyejo Kabir (CEO, Albarakatulilahi Ltd)

  • Inbound travelers pump GH₵15.2bn into Ghana’s economy

    Inbound travelers pump GH₵15.2bn into Ghana’s economy

    Ghana’s tourism sector is booming, with new figures from the Ghana Statistical Service showing that inbound overnight visitors spent a staggering GHc15.2 billion between October 2022 and September 2023.

    The report, which tracked 888,584 overnight visitors accounting for nearly 99% of all international arrivals reveals a sharp rebound in travel and spending.

    Visitor numbers peaked in the third quarter (Q3) of 2023, when arrivals surged by 61.6% compared to the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2022, driven by a wave of tourists from West Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

    Accommodation and food were the biggest beneficiaries, taking up nearly 63% of total spending. Hotels saw rising demand, with stays climbing to 146,571 in Q3 2023.

    Business and professional travelers topped the spending charts, contributing GHc2.7 billion in a single quarter, while American tourists recorded the highest per-capita expenditure at GHc28,233.

    Top attractions such as Cape Coast Castle, Independence Square, and Kakum National Park drew the largest crowds, with cultural tourism and heritage experiences leading the way.

    Yet, officials caution that most visits are concentrated around Accra and the central corridor, leaving opportunities untapped in other regions.

    Government Statistician, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu stressed that the findings offer a roadmap for boosting the sector’s contribution to GDP.

    Recommendations include diversifying attractions beyond the capital, improving visitor services, and linking tourism revenue more directly to local communities and small businesses.

    With an average stay of 12 nights and a growing appetite for cultural and leisure travel, Ghana is increasingly positioning itself as a top-tier African destination not just for heritage tourism, but also for business, festivals, and high-value leisure experiences.