Ghana recorded 1.79 million visits to its tourist sites in 2025. This figure represents a 7% increase over the previous year, with domestic tourism emerging as a significant driver for the sector's growth.
The Ghana Tourism Report 2025, compiled by the Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Department of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), indicates that visits to 55 tourist sites rose from 1,681,985 in 2024 to 1,793,797 in 2025. Ghanaian residents accounted for 84% of these total visits. This strong local engagement underscores the importance of internal travel for the nation's tourism economy.
This growth in domestic tourism provides a crucial buffer against global economic fluctuations, supporting local businesses and employment. It aligns with broader government efforts to diversify revenue streams and promote internal economic activity. The report's theme, "Resilience and Sustainable Growth," reflects the sector's adaptability and its potential to contribute significantly to Ghana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) produced this comprehensive report. It assesses various aspects of the tourism sector, including international arrivals, visitor spending, and the performance of tourism enterprises. The report highlights both progress and ongoing challenges for long-term development.
Looking ahead, the sector must address the decline in average expenditure per international visitor, which fell from US$3,742.98 in 2024 to US$3,319.90 in 2025. This trend suggests that increasing visitor numbers alone may not guarantee higher tourism revenue. Decision-makers will need to focus on attracting higher-spending visitors and developing premium tourism experiences to maximise economic benefits.
Ghana also recorded 1,306,962 international arrivals in 2025, a 1.4% increase from the prior year. International visitors stayed for an average of approximately 13 nights, with business-related travel making up 31% of these arrivals. Despite the increase in numbers, the reduced spending per visitor signals a need for strategic adjustments.
Tourism activity remained concentrated in a few key regions. Greater Accra, Central, Ashanti, and Eastern regions attracted the majority of visitors. The top 10 tourist sites alone recorded 1,377,588 visits, representing 77% of all visits to the 55 sites covered. The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park was the most visited attraction, with 302,523 visits.
Other popular destinations included Kakum National Park, Bunso Arboretum, Cape Coast Castle, and Elmina Castle. This concentration points to opportunities for developing attractions in less-visited parts of the country. Improved infrastructure, better accessibility, and targeted promotion can help distribute tourism benefits more widely across Ghana.
The number of licensed tourism enterprises expanded significantly, rising from 6,702 in 2024 to 7,109 in 2025. This 6% increase reflects continued growth in the formal tourism industry. These businesses cover accommodation, food and beverage services, entertainment, conferences, and travel-related services. The travel-trade segment saw an 18.6% increase, while entertainment and conference businesses grew by 14.3%.
Special tourism events, such as the Kwahu Easter Paragliding Festival, PANAFEST, and December in GH, played a vital role. These events attract both domestic and international visitors, boosting demand for accommodation, transportation, food, and entertainment. They are identified as important tourism products that generate spending and support local economic development.
Ghana also welcomed 18 cruise ship calls with 5,488 passengers in 2025 through the ports of Takoradi and Tema. Although cruise tourism is a smaller segment, opportunities exist to expand this market by linking passengers to heritage sites and cultural experiences. International visitors gave Ghana positive ratings for hospitality and airport experience, with 99% rating Ghanaian friendliness highly.
The report underscores the importance of eco-tourism and community-based tourism. It advocates for preserving cultural and natural heritage. Expanding domestic tourism can also help distribute revenue more widely, benefiting businesses and communities beyond established tourism centres. The findings call for investment in infrastructure, improved access to emerging destinations, and stronger tourism products to increase visitor spending and ensure sustainable growth across the country.