The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has released the first set of reports from the Ghana International Travellers’ Survey, covering inbound same-day and inbound overnight visitors.

The timing of the release coincides with the global commemoration of World Tourism Day on 27th September 2025.

The reports provide the most comprehensive baseline data on international tourism to date and will serve as the foundation for Ghana’s first Tourism Satellite Account. This represents a significant step in quantifying tourism’s direct contribution to national development and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals as well as Ghana’s long-term Tourism Development Plans.

Launching the reports, the Government Statistician, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, emphasised the economic importance of tourism.

He stated, “Tourism is not just a cultural and social asset, but a driver of jobs, investment, and growth. These reports provide evidence to shape policies, attract private sector partnerships, and strengthen Ghana’s position as a leading tourism destination.”

He further highlighted that the survey addresses a longstanding gap in Ghana’s tourism statistics and provides robust evidence to inform policy formulation, sectoral planning, and investment decisions.

From the last quarter of 2022 to the third quarter of 2023, a total of 901,448 international visitors were recorded. Of this number, 12,864 were same-day visitors and 888,584 were overnight visitors. Overnight arrivals accounted for 98.6 percent of the total volume of inbound visitors recorded within the survey period.

Visitors Expenditure Estimated GH¢15.4bn

Visitor expenditure for the period was estimated at GH¢15.42 billion Ghana cedis.

Same-day visitors spent GH¢24 million, while overnight visitors accounted for GH¢15.18 billion. The expenditure estimates provide the first official benchmark of the value of inbound tourism to the Ghanaian economy.

Tourist site visitation patterns were also documented.

The top sites visited by international travellers included Bisa Abrewa Museum, Cape Coast Castle, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Independence Square and the Arts Centre, and the National Museum. These attractions consistently featured across the survey period as destinations of choice for both same-day and overnight visitors.

The survey collected detailed information on the characteristics and purposes of travel. Same-day visitors were largely transit passengers, with Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia emerging as leading sources of arrivals within the reference period.

Overnight visitors were mainly adults aged 36 to 64 years, with males outnumbering females in all quarters. Visiting friends and relatives was the most frequently reported reason for overnight travel, while business and leisure also featured.

The reports recommend targeted initiatives to promote short-stay tourism, diversify accommodation to meet rising demand, and enhance visitor experiences through modern facilities and digital platforms.

They also highlight the potential to expand cross-border tourism by leveraging Ghana’s strategic location and regional integration frameworks.