Ghana’s tourism sector is gaining momentum. In 2024, the country welcomed over 1.28 million international tourists, marking a 12 percent increase from the previous year.

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) says this growth brought in about $4.8 billion in revenue, which is a clear sign that the sector is recovering steadily after the COVID-19 slowdown.

Visitors came from all over the world, but the top three source countries were the United States (137,862 tourists), Nigeria (111,581), and the United Kingdom (52,845). Cruise tourism also made gains, with 14 cruise ships docking at the Tema and Takoradi ports.

When asked why they chose Ghana, 94 percent of tourists pointed to the country's hospitality, while 88 percent described Ghana as an ideal destination. Safety, cultural heritage, and local cuisine were also high on their list of attractions.

Cost of Travel Still a Major Concern

While interest in Ghana is growing, concerns about the cost of visiting are increasing as well. During the December peak season, tourists spent heavily. On average, visitors spent $722.60 per day on accommodation, $446.50 on food and drinks, and $520.60 on entertainment.

Thirty-seven percent of tourists rated accommodation as expensive, and another 37 percent said visa fees were too high.

The report also revealed where tourists were spending their time. The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park remained the most visited site, attracting 20 percent of all tourist visits in 2024. Other top spots included Kakum National Park, Cape Coast Castle, Bunso Arboretum, and Kumasi Zoo.

However, not all experiences were positive. At the Kwahu Easter Festival, for example, only 27.5 percent of visitors said they were very satisfied with their experience. This raises questions about service delivery and event quality.

Ghana is clearly on the tourism map, attracting more visitors, more revenue, and more global attention. But with growing concerns about affordability and satisfaction, the overall visitor experience may be affected.