File photo of tourists on the Kakum canopy walk
Domestic tourism in the country has contributed an estimated GH¢6.6billion to the economy in 2023, according to findings from the Ghana Statistical Service’s (GSS) Domestic Visitors’ Survey.
The report shows that Ghanaians made over 15 million trips last year, underscoring the significant role of domestic travel in driving economic activity across local communities.
A total of 6.6 million domestic same-day visitors and 8.8 million domestic overnight visitors was recorded in 2023.
The survey revealed that overnight travel accounted for the bulk of spending, with Ghanaians spending about GH¢4.8billion – thus 73 percent of total domestic tourism expenditure – on accommodation, transport, food services and community-based businesses.
Same-day visitors contributed the remaining GH¢1.8billion, equivalent to 27 percent of domestic tourism spending.
At the survey results launch, Government Statistician, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, emphasised the broader economic importance of domestic tourism, noting that it extends beyond the focus on international arrivals.
“Tourism is not only about foreign visitors. It is also about Ghanaians exploring their own country, investing in local experiences and supporting the livelihoods of communities across Ghana,” he said.
The survey highlights travel patterns and spending habits of Ghanaians, offering insights into which regions attract most visitors, types of activities that drive trips and the socio-economic profile of travellers.
Working-age adults, particularly those aged 25 to 44, dominated domestic travel – accounting for 41.1 percent of same-day trips and 35.2 percent of overnight trips.
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Social motivations, including visits to friends and relatives and attendance at funerals, remain the primary reasons for travel.
More than 80 percent of overnight trips and about 70 percent of same-day trips were driven by these social factors, reflecting the enduring importance of family and cultural ties in shaping domestic tourism.
The survey also revealed that the vast majority of trips, over 95 percent were self-arranged, with road transport using buses and minivans being the dominant mode of travel.
On regional basis, Ashanti and Greater Accra were the leading destinations for same-day trips while Ashanti, Eastern, and Greater Accra were the main destinations for overnight trips.
Dr. Iddrisu described the survey as a vital tool for understanding domestic tourism trends, noting that the data provide clarity on spending flows and help policymakers identify opportunities for regional development.
“The findings give us clarity to identify regions attracting the most movement, types of activities which drive domestic trips, socio-economic profile of travellers and value of the spending that circulates within our borders,” he stated.
Recommendations
The Government Statistician noted that the survey results show domestic tourism in Ghana is already functioning effectively, but requires deliberate organisation and targetted investment to maximise its benefits.
He stressed a need to improve road quality, safety, signage and rest facilities along major domestic travel routes, while also raising service standards for buses and minibuses that carry the majority of domestic travellers.
He noted that better transport infrastructure would enhance travel experiences and strengthen the flow of economic activity across regions.
He further called for policies that enable local economies to retain more tourism spending by supporting festivals, markets, heritage sites, accommodation and other community-based cultural businesses.
Dr. Iddrisu urged policymakers to integrate domestic tourism data into national and regional planning frameworks, including the Tourism Satellite Account and SME support programmes.
He added that Ghana can build on the dominance of social travel – such as funerals and family visits – by introducing complementary festivals, heritage stops and short leisure add-ons, while converting self-arranged trips into higher-value experiences through affordable bundles, guided visits, digital booking platforms and capacity-building for inclusive, community-based tourism.
“Design tourism offerings around funerals and family visits by adding festivals, heritage stops, and short leisure add-ons during peak travel periods.
“Convert Self-Arranged Trips into Value: Create simple, affordable products like day-trip bundles, guided visits, short retreats, transport-and-entry packages, digital booking through basic platforms and local experiences that work for self-planned travellers,” he urged.
