Ghana’s tourism sector is experiencing a remarkable upswing, with the latest figures from the Ghana Statistical Service revealing that inbound overnight visitors spent a record GHS15.2 billion between October 2022 and September 2023.
According to the new report, 888,584 overnight visitors—representing nearly 99% of all international arrivals—powered a sharp rebound in both travel and spending. The tourism boom reached its peak in the third quarter of 2023, with arrivals surging by 61.6% compared to the final quarter of 2022. This growth was propelled by tourists from West Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
Accommodation and food services emerged as the biggest winners, accounting for almost 63% of total spending. Hotels saw a notable rise in demand, recording 146,571 stays in Q3 2023 alone. Business and professional travellers led the way in expenditure, contributing GHS2.7 billion in a single quarter. Meanwhile, American tourists posted the highest per-capita spending, averaging GHS28,233 each.
Top attractions such as Cape Coast Castle, Independence Square, and Kakum National Park drew the largest visitor numbers, with cultural tourism and heritage experiences at the forefront of the sector’s appeal.
Despite these successes, officials caution that tourism remains heavily focused around Accra and the central corridor, highlighting untapped opportunities in other regions. Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu noted that the findings provide a roadmap for further growth, recommending the diversification of attractions beyond the capital, enhancement of visitor services, and greater integration of tourism revenues into local communities and small businesses.
With an average stay of 12 nights and a growing appetite for cultural and leisure travel, Ghana is cementing its reputation as a leading African destination—not only for heritage tourism but also for business, festivals, and high-value leisure experiences.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
