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.
