Ghana’s tourism and creative arts sectors offer significant potential to diversify the economy and generate employment in 2026, according to EM Advisory.

They stressed that the recovery of global travel and cultural interest presents a unique opportunity to monetise Ghana’s rich heritage.

The advisory notes that the “Year of Return” campaign demonstrated strong diaspora engagement and demand for cultural tourism.

“Investments in air connectivity, hotel capacity, and destination marketing could position Ghana as a premier African destination for tourists and creative professionals,” the report said.

Tourism and the arts also create jobs quickly, especially for youth. From hospitality and transport to content creation and event management, these sectors can absorb labour faster than manufacturing or agriculture.

“In a country with youth unemployment exceeding 13%, these sectors could provide meaningful pathways to income,” analysts emphasised.

Moreover, tourism generates foreign exchange without the volatility associated with commodities like gold or cocoa.

With supportive policies such as visa facilitation, creative industry incentives, and heritage site development, Ghana could leverage tourism and arts to improve both GDP and export earnings.

EM Advisory concluded that unlocking this potential requires consistent government and private sector engagement.