Ghana’s domestic tourism sector recorded 1,793,797 visits to 55 tourist sites in 2025, marking a 7 percent increase compared to 1,681,985 visits in 2024. Domestic tourists accounted for 84 percent of all visits during the period, according to the Ghana Tourism Report 2025 produced by the Ghana Tourism Authority’s Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Department.
International Arrivals and Visitor Profiles
International tourist arrivals to Ghana totaled 1,306,962 in 2025, up 1.4 percent from the previous year. Visitors stayed an average of approximately 13 nights, with business travel comprising 31 percent of international arrivals. However, average spending per international visitor declined to US$3,319.90 from US$3,742.98 in 2024.
Top Tourist Destinations and Visitor Distribution
The top 10 tourist sites attracted 1,377,588 visits in 2025, representing 77 percent of total visits to the 55 sites tracked. Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park emerged as the most visited attraction with 302,523 visitors. Other key sites 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 visitation in Greater Accra, Central, Ashanti, and Eastern regions suggests potential to promote lesser-visited areas through infrastructure and marketing enhancements.
Growth in Licensed Tourism Enterprises
The number of licensed tourism enterprises increased from 6,702 in 2024 to 7,109 in
2025. The travel-trade segment experienced an 18.6 percent expansion, while entertainment and conference-related businesses grew by 14.3 percent. This growth supports opportunities for private investment and job creation across accommodation, food and beverage, entertainment, conferences, and travel services.
Special Events and Cruise Tourism Contributions
Special tourism events such as the Kwahu Easter Paragliding Festival, PANAFEST, Emancipation celebrations, and December in GH contributed significantly to visitor numbers, supporting demand for hospitality services. The Eastern Region’s Kwahu Easter Paragliding Festival notably boosted tourism activity. Ghana’s ports of Takoradi and Tema handled 18 cruise ship calls with 5,488 passengers in 2025. While cruise tourism remains small, it presents an
opportunity to link visitors to heritage and cultural attractions.
Visitor Experience Ratings and Challenges
International visitors rated Ghana’s friendliness at 99 percent and airport facilities and formalities at 98 percent each. These high ratings emphasize the quality of hospitality and airport services. Despite growth in visitor numbers, the decline in average international expenditure highlights a challenge in increasing tourism revenue. Additionally, tourism activity remains unevenly distributed geographically.
Sustainable Tourism and Sector Development
The Ghana Tourism Report 2025 emphasizes the importance of eco-tourism, community-based tourism, and cultural and natural heritage preservation. Expanding domestic tourism is viewed as a way to spread economic benefits beyond established centres. Sustainable tourism development aims to
balance economic growth with environmental protection and social benefits, supporting broader national economic objectives.
