Record Tourism Revenue for Ghana in 2024
Ghana has achieved a remarkable milestone in its tourism sector, generating $4.8 billion in revenue from international tourism in 2024. This marks a substantial 27% increase compared to the $3.8 billion recorded in 2023, signaling a strong recovery and growth trajectory for the country’s tourism industry.
The impressive revenue surge was driven by a significant rise in international visitor numbers. In 2024, the country welcomed 1.2 million international arrivals, up from 1.1 million in 2023. This represents a 25% year-on-year growth, highlighting the increasing appeal of Ghana as a global travel destination.
Recovery and Growth Post-Pandemic
The latest findings from the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) reflect the nation’s steady progress in recovering from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The report emphasizes that the tourism sector has shown resilience and is on a positive upward trend, with consistent improvements in both visitor numbers and revenue generation.
The GTA’s 2024 Annual Tourism Report, now a regular publication since 2019, provides an in-depth analysis of the industry’s performance. It draws on primary data collected through interviews with tourists at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) and surveys conducted at major tourism enterprises in Accra and Takoradi during the “December in Ghana” (DiGH) festivities. Secondary data were also gathered from the Ghana Immigration Service and hospitality institutions across the country.
Top Source Markets
According to the report, American nationals were the largest group of international visitors, with 137,000 travelers coming from the United States. Nigeria followed closely with 111,000 visitors, while the United Kingdom placed third with 52,000. These three countries have consistently been among Ghana’s top tourism source markets over the past few years.
Reasons for Visiting
Business travel remained a key factor in driving inbound tourism, accounting for 22.4% of total visits. Family and friends’ visitation came in second with 22.2%, followed by vacation and conference travel as the fourth most common reason for visiting the country.
Points of Entry
The report also highlighted the main entry points used by international visitors. Kotoka International Airport remained the primary gateway, with over 1.1 million tourists passing through its facilities. Aflao recorded 77,000 entries, while Elubo came in third with 53,000.
Future Outlook
Despite the current success, the 2024 report expressed “cautious optimism” about the future of Ghana’s tourism sector. It pointed to signs of stability and continued growth potential across the industry. The GTA emphasized that future investments and marketing initiatives will be crucial in sustaining and building upon the gains made in 2024.
Tourism remains one of Ghana’s most important non-traditional revenue sources, and the latest figures highlight the country’s growing global appeal. As a premier travel destination in West Africa, Ghana continues to attract a diverse range of international visitors, contributing significantly to its economic development.
With sustained efforts in promoting the country’s cultural heritage, natural beauty, and business opportunities, Ghana is well-positioned to further strengthen its presence on the global tourism map.
