Ghana’s Tourism Sector Soars as International Visits Hit Nearly 1.8 Million in 2025

Ghana’s tourism industry kept growing in 2025, with more international visitors and local travel, according to the latest Tourism Report from the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA). The report shows that the industry is recovering well and moving toward steady long-term growth.

The report said Ghana received 1,306,962 international visitors in 2025, a 1.4 per cent increase from the 1,288,804 visitors recorded in 2024. Although the growth was small, it shows that Ghana remains a popular place for business, cultural, heritage, and leisure tourism.

Business travel was the main reason people visited Ghana, making up 31 per cent of all international arrivals. Visits to family and friends came next at 23 percent, showing Ghana’s strong ties with its diaspora and its growing popularity in West Africa. On average, international visitors stayed for 13 nights, and more than 60 per cent had visited before, showing that many travellers enjoy returning to the country.

The United States, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom remained Ghana’s top source countries for visitors. Nigeria recorded the biggest growth among them, with visitor numbers rising by 22 per cent in 2025. Arrivals from the United States increased by 13 per cent, while those from the United Kingdom grew by 7 percent.

Even though more people visited Ghana, tourist spending went down. Average spending per visitor dropped from US$3,742.98 in 2024 to US$3,319.90 in 2025. Because of this, international tourism earnings fell from US$4.82 billion to about US$4.34 billion. The report said there is a need for plans that attract visitors who spend more and for more high-end tourism experiences.

Local tourism remained an important part of the sector’s growth. Visits to 55 tourist attractions across the country reached 1,793,797 in 2025, a 7 per cent increase from the previous year. Ghanaians made up 84 per cent of all visits, showing the growing importance of local travel in supporting the tourism industry.

Among the country’s top attractions, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park was again the most visited site, with 302,523 visitors during the year. Kakum National Park came next with 203,222 visits, while Bunso Arboretum received 149,319 visitors. Other popular places included Cape Coast Castle, Manhyia Palace Museum, Accra Zoo, Elmina Castle, and Kumasi Zoo.

The report also showed growth in Ghana’s tourism business sector. The number of licensed tourism businesses increased from 6,702 in 2024 to 7,109 in 2025. This growth included hotels and other accommodation facilities, restaurants and food businesses, entertainment centres, and travel-related companies.

Speaking about the sector’s performance, GTA Chief Executive Officer Maame Efua Houadjeto said the results show Ghana’s lasting appeal and the growing strength of local tourism. She said the Authority is now focusing on attracting visitors who spend more, creating tourism opportunities in all regions, and making sure tourism growth benefits local communities.

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, also praised the sector’s progress. She said it shows Ghana’s commitment to sustainable tourism, protecting culture, and encouraging innovation. She repeated the government’s goal of making Ghana the “Centre of the World” through investments in eco-tourism, community tourism, cultural heritage protection, and creative tourism experiences.