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Ghana records $4.8bn in tourism revenue in 2024
Ghana’s tourism sector saw a record-breaking growth in 2024, with historic revenue, increased international arrivals, and a surge in domestic tourism.
According to the 2024 Ghana Tourism Report, the sector generated $4.8 billion— the highest in the country’s tourism history.
The report, launched by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) under the theme ‘Growth and Stability,’ detailed significant strides in arrivals and spending.
Ghana recorded 1.288 million international visitors in 2024, a 12 per cent rise from 2023.
The increase was largely driven by arrivals from the United States, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom, with Nigerian arrivals alone rising by 25 per cent.
Events such as ‘December in GH’ contributed significantly to this growth, with international visitors staying an average of 22 nights and spending over $700 per day.
“A figure that underscores Ghana’s growing position as a premium destination for heritage and leisure travel,” the report stated.
Domestically, 1.68 million visits to tourist sites were recorded—marking a 19 per cent year-on-year increase.
The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park remained the top attraction, followed by Kakum National Park and Bunso Arboretum.
The hospitality sector also expanded, with 6,702 licensed tourism enterprises operating in 2024, up from 5,786 in 2023.
Hotel occupancy remained high, and the average tourist expenditure per trip reached $3,742.
Cruise tourism saw notable growth as well, with 14 cruise ships docking in Ghana, bringing over 12,600 passengers—a 38 per cent increase.
The Tema and Takoradi ports received about 88 per cent American tourists.
Mrs Maame Efua Huoadjeto, the Chief Executive Officer of the GTA, remarked, “Despite global and regional economic pressures, Ghana’s tourism sector maintained a strong upward trajectory.”
“In 2024, we intensified our collaboration with the private sector, invested in the training and certification of tourism practitioners and improved regulatory compliance.
“We recognised that quality of service is key to delivering memorable experiences and we remain committed to upskilling our workforce to meet international standards,” she said.
Mrs Huoadjeto said the Report not only reflected the progress of the industry over the past year but also reinforced the shared commitment to build a resilient, inclusive, and competitive tourism sector.
“It is a product of diligent research, data collection, and stakeholder collaboration and it captures the full breadth of our achievements, lessons learned, and the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Highlighting event-driven growth, Mrs Huoadjeto noted that the report outlined the impact of key events such as PANAFEST, Emancipation, Kwahu Paragliding festival, and Detty December, which collectively contributed to economic activity across the regions and created employment opportunities for thousands of Ghanaians.
Mrs. Huoadjeto urged all stakeholders to “join in shaping the next chapter of Ghanaian tourism, work together to unlock new markets, strengthen infrastructure and leverage digital innovation to deliver seamless experiences.”
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mr. Yussif Jajah, highlighted the critical importance of data in shaping tourism policy, noting that in a time marked by climate challenges, technological shifts, and evolving traveler expectations, data served as a vital tool for guiding decisions on policy, planning, and investment.
He said the report offered critical insights into “arrivals, revenue, domestic tourism trends, employment generation, visitor satisfaction, and sectoral contributions to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).”
Mr Jajah credited the sector’s achievements to support for the creative industry, hospitality training expansion, public-private partnerships, and digitalisation of tourism services.
Looking ahead, Mr Jajah said the ministry would prioritise implementing the National Tourism Development Plan, focusing on regional tourism clusters and initiate its renewal.
—GNA