Domestic Tourism In Ghana Grows 7% As Visits Reach 1.79 Million In 2025

Ghana’s domestic tourism sector recorded a 7% increase in visits in 2025, rising from 1.68 million visits in 2024 to 1.79 million visits, Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie has disclosed.

Speaking at a Government Accountability Series engagement at Jubilee House in Accra on Monday, August 10, 2026, the Minister said the growth formed part of the progress recorded by the tourism sector under her tenure.

According to her, the increase in domestic tourism demonstrates growing interest among Ghanaians in exploring attractions and destinations within the country.

The Minister also disclosed that Ghana recorded 1,306,962 international tourist arrivals in 2025, up from 1,288,804 arrivals in 2024.

International tourist arrivals generated an estimated $4.34 billion in revenue for Ghana in 2025.

Top attractions drive domestic visits

The Ministry said Ghana’s leading tourism attractions attracted significant numbers of visitors during the year.

The 10 most visited attractions collectively recorded 1,377,588 visitors in 2025, accounting for approximately 77% of all domestic tourism site visits nationwide.

The attractions were:

• Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
• Kakum National Park
• Bonsu Arboretum/Eco Park
• Cape Coast Castle
• Manhyia Palace
• Kumasi Zoo
• Accra Zoo
• Elmina Castle
• Shai Hills Resource Reserve
• Aburi Botanical Gardens

The figures highlight the importance of Ghana’s historical sites, wildlife attractions, parks and cultural destinations to the growth of domestic tourism.

Digital platforms support tourism growth

The Ministry also highlighted the deployment of the Ghana Tourism Marketplace (GTM) and the Ghana Tourism Investment Platform (GTiP) as part of efforts to move the sector into the digital economy.

The Ghana Tourism Marketplace allows tourists to book verified experiences online, while the investment platform provides access to tourism investment opportunities and enables local tourism operators to reach wider markets.

The Ministry said the platforms recorded significant bookings during the December 2025 festive season, with the “Accra by Night” tour accounting for about 93% of total platform revenue.

Night tourism expands opportunities

The introduction of “Accra by Night” was also identified as an important development aimed at expanding tourism beyond traditional daytime activities.

The initiative brings together restaurants, artists, transport operators and small businesses while supporting the government’s 24-Hour Economy agenda.

The Ministry said the strong demand for the night-tourism product demonstrates the potential for tourism activities to operate beyond conventional daytime hours.

More tourism businesses licensed

The expansion of domestic tourism has also coincided with growth in Ghana’s tourism business ecosystem.

Licensed tourism enterprises increased from 6,702 in 2024 to 7,109 in 2025, representing 6.1% growth.

Accommodation businesses increased from 5,210 to 5,424, while food, beverage and entertainment enterprises rose from 814 to 881.

Travel trade enterprises recorded the strongest growth, increasing from 678 to 804, representing 18.6% growth.

The Ministry said the expansion in travel trade enterprises reflects growth in tour operators, travel agencies, destination services, excursion businesses and other tourism intermediaries.

Tourism and jobs

The Ministry also linked the growth of tourism businesses to employment opportunities across the sector.

The average workforce of star-rated hotels was reported at 101 workers per hotel, comprising 80 full-time workers and 21 temporary workers.

The Tourism Minister said the government would continue to focus on strengthening tourism, culture and the creative arts as contributors to job creation, economic growth and national development.