Audio By Carbonatix
The Ghana Tourism Authority has announced that it tallied over a million visits to tourist sites nationwide in 2023, the highest record in four years.
According to the GTA's report, 1,407,709 visits were made to various tourist destinations across Ghana, marking a 49% growth compared to the previous year.
The surge in tourism was primarily attributed to the sustained interest of residents in exploring Ghana's rich cultural and natural attractions.
The report indicated that residents accounted for 83% of the total visits, with 1,161,474 recorded visits. Meanwhile, non-residents contributed 17%, amounting to 246,235 visits.
Highlighting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism, the report outlined a recovery trajectory.
“In 2019, Ghana registered 669,311 domestic visitors. However, this number plummeted by 69% in 2020 due to the pandemic's disruptive effects on travel and tourism. The tide turned in 2022 with a total of 945,405 visitations at attraction sites, marking a 49% year-on-year growth and signalling a recovery from the previous year's dive.”
“By 2023, domestic visitor arrivals surpassed pre-COVID figures by a striking 110%, underscoring a robust rebound in domestic tourism. Residents accounted for the majority at 1,161,474 visits, making up 83% of the total, while non-residents contributed 17%,” the report reads.
The GTA credited this resurgence to targeted campaigns aimed at encouraging Ghanaians to explore their own country, particularly in light of international border closures and reduced tourist arrivals during the pandemic.
Initiatives such as "See Ghana, Wear Ghana, Feel Ghana" were instrumental in reigniting the curiosity of Ghanaians in their homeland's attractions, music, dance, and fashion.
Furthermore, the GTA highlighted the role of infrastructure development and capacity enhancement in boosting tourism numbers, citing the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park which was listed as the most visited tourist site in 2023.
“This trend underscores the resilience and relevance of domestic tourism in the post-pandemic era, reflecting the enduring allure of exploring one's own backyard, the GTA added.
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