Ghana’s tourism industry has attracted GH₵15.42 billion in expenditure from international visitors between the last quarter of 2022 and the third quarter of 2023, according to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

The figures were contained in the first Ghana International Travellers’ Survey, which establishes the baseline for the country’s inaugural Tourism Satellite Account.

The reports were released ahead of the global commemoration of World Tourism Day on September 27, 2025.

A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said a total of 901,448 international visitors were recorded within the 2022 to 2023 period, of which 888,584 were overnight visitors while 12,864 were same-day visitors.

Overnight arrivals accounted for 98.6 per cent of the total and contributed GH₵15.18 billion in expenditure, compared with GH₵24 million from same-day visitors.

Government Statistician, Dr Alhassan Iddrisu, described the exercise as a milestone in evidence-based policy formulation.

“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 said.

The reports indicated that international visitors patronised key cultural and historical sites such as the Bisa Abrewa Museum, Cape Coast Castle, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Independence Square, the Arts Centre, and the National Museum.

The survey further showed that same-day visitors were largely transit passengers, mainly from Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia, while overnight visitors were mostly adults aged 36 to 64 years, with males outnumbering females.

Visiting friends and relatives was the most common reason for travel, though business and leisure also featured strongly.

The GSS noted that the data addressed a longstanding gap in tourism statistics and provided a benchmark for measuring the sector’s direct contribution to the economy.

It recommend targeted initiatives to promote short-stay tourism, diversify accommodation, enhance visitor experiences, and expand cross-border tourism by leveraging Ghana’s regional location.