Ghana recorded 1.79 million visits to tourist sites in 2025, representing a seven per cent increase over the previous year, as domestic tourism emerged as a major driver of growth in the sector.

The Ghana Tourism Report 2025 indicates that visits to 55 tourist sites rose from 1,681,985 in 2024 to 1,793,797 in 2025, with residents accounting for 84 per cent of total visits.

The report, produced by the Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Department of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), assesses the performance of the tourism sector, including international arrivals, domestic tourism, visitor spending, tourism enterprises and visitor satisfaction.

Under the theme “Resilience and Sustainable Growth,” the report highlights the sector’s progress while identifying challenges that could affect its long-term development.

Ghana recorded 1,306,962 international arrivals in 2025, representing a 1.4 per cent increase over the previous year.

International visitors stayed for an average of approximately 13 nights, with business-related travel accounting for 31 per cent of arrivals.

However, average expenditure per international visitor declined from US$3,742.98 in 2024 to US$3,319.90 in 2025.

The report suggests that increasing visitor numbers alone may not translate into higher tourism revenue, highlighting the need to attract higher-spending visitors and develop premium tourism experiences.

Tourism activity remained concentrated in a few regions, particularly Greater Accra, Central, Ashanti and Eastern.

The top 10 tourist sites recorded 1,377,588 visits, representing 77 per cent of all visits to the 55 sites covered by the report.

The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park emerged as the most visited attraction, recording 302,523 visits.

Other popular destinations included Kakum National Park, Bunso Arboretum, Cape Coast Castle, Manhyia Palace Museum, Kumasi Zoo, Accra Zoo, Elmina Castle, Shai Hills Resource Reserve and Aburi Botanical Garden.

The concentration of visitors in a limited number of destinations points to opportunities to develop attractions in less-visited parts of the country through improved infrastructure, accessibility and promotion.

The number of licensed tourism enterprises increased from 6,702 in 2024 to 7,109 in 2025, reflecting continued expansion in the formal tourism industry.

The businesses cover accommodation, food and beverage services, entertainment, conferences and travel-related services.

The travel-trade segment recorded an 18.6 per cent increase, while entertainment and conference businesses grew by 14.3 per cent.

The expansion creates opportunities for private-sector investment and employment across the tourism value chain.

The report also highlights the contribution of special tourism events, including the Kwahu Easter Paragliding Festival, PANAFEST and Emancipation celebrations, and December in GH.

These events attract domestic and international visitors, supporting demand for accommodation, transportation, food, entertainment and other hospitality services.

The Kwahu Easter Paragliding Festival, in particular, contributed to tourism activity in the Eastern Region, while PANAFEST and Emancipation celebrations attracted both Ghanaian residents and international visitors.

The report identifies such events as important tourism products that can generate spending and support local economic development.

Ghana recorded 18 cruise ship calls involving 5,488 passengers in 2025 through the ports of Takoradi and Tema.

Although cruise tourism remains a relatively small segment of the industry, the report identifies opportunities to expand the market by linking cruise passengers to heritage sites, cultural experiences, craft markets and coastal attractions.

Ghana received positive ratings from international visitors, particularly for its hospitality and airport experience.

The report recorded a 99 per cent rating for Ghanaian friendliness, while airport facilities and airport formalities each received 98 per cent ratings.

The findings underscore the importance of maintaining service standards and positive visitor experiences to encourage repeat visits and strengthen Ghana’s reputation as a tourism destination.

The report calls attention to the importance of eco-tourism, community-based tourism and the preservation of cultural and natural heritage.

Tourism development, it notes, must deliver economic and social benefits while protecting the environmental and cultural resources that attract visitors.

Expanding domestic tourism is also seen as a way to distribute tourism revenue more widely, allowing businesses and communities beyond established tourism centres to benefit from visitor spending.

Overall, the Ghana Tourism Report 2025 presents a sector making progress in domestic tourism, international arrivals and the expansion of licensed enterprises, while facing challenges related to visitor expenditure and the uneven distribution of tourism activity.

The findings point to the need for investment in infrastructure, improved access to emerging destinations, stronger tourism products and initiatives that increase visitor spending.

The report’s central message is that Ghana’s tourism ambitions should extend beyond attracting more visitors to creating jobs, supporting local businesses, preserving cultural and natural assets, and ensuring that tourism contributes to sustainable economic growth across the country.