Ghana welcomed 901,448 international visitors between October 2022 and September 2023, generating approximately GH₵15.42 billion (around US$1.2 billion), according to the first Ghana International Travelers Survey (GITS).
The survey, conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), provides a comprehensive benchmark for assessing tourism’s impact on the national economy. It revealed that the vast majority of visitors—888,584—were day-trippers, while 12,864 were overnight guests.
Long-stay visitors accounted for GH₵15.18 billion (roughly US$1.3 billion) in spending, whereas day visitors contributed approximately GH₵24 million (US$2.1 million).
Dr Alhassan Iddrisu, Government Statistician, emphasised the significance of these findings for evidence-based policymaking.
“The often-overlooked economic role of day visitors is now being recognised,” he said, highlighting the contribution of short-term travellers to Ghana’s tourism revenue.
The survey also identified the country’s most visited attractions. Day visitors gravitated towards the Bisa Abrewa Museum, Cape Coast Castle, the National Museum, and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. Overnight visitors were drawn to Independence Square, the Arts Centre, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, and Cape Coast Castle.
Regionally, the majority of day-trippers came from West Africa, particularly Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Liberia.
Based on these insights, the GSS recommends targeted policies such as a “Visit Ghana in a Day” campaign to attract short-haul regional visitors. It also suggests investment in border infrastructure to enhance the visitor experience.
The survey further lays the groundwork for Ghana’s first Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), which will formally quantify the sector’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) and provide policymakers with critical data to support sustainable tourism growth.
With nearly a million visitors contributing over $1.2 billion, Ghana’s tourism sector is emerging as a significant driver of economic development, underlining the country’s growing appeal on the international stage.
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