Ghana records $4.34bn Tourism Revenue as international arrivals rise in 2025

Ghana’s tourism sector generated $4.34 billion in revenue from international visitors in 2025, as the country recorded a modest increase in tourist arrivals and stronger growth in domestic tourism.

According to data presented by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Ghana welcomed 1,306,962 international tourists in 2025, up from 1,288,804 recorded in 2024.

The minister disclosed the figures on Monday, August 10, 2026, when she addressed the Government Accountability Press Conference Series at the Presidency in Accra.

The engagement was organised to highlight the ministry’s performance and its contribution to employment, economic growth and the promotion of Ghana’s national identity.

Domestic tourism also recorded growth during the period, with visits increasing from 1.68 million in 2024 to 1.79 million in 2025, representing a seven per cent increase.

Ms Gomashie said the country’s major tourist attractions continued to account for a significant proportion of domestic tourism activity.

The 10 most visited attractions collectively recorded 1,377,588 visitors in 2025, representing almost 77 per cent of all domestic tourism site visits nationwide.

They included the 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 and Aburi Botanical Gardens.

The minister also highlighted growth in Ghana’s tourism business ecosystem, noting that the number of licensed tourism enterprises increased from 6,702 in 2024 to 7,109 in 2025.

This represents a 6.1 per cent increase in licensed tourism businesses.

Travel trade enterprises recorded an even stronger growth of 18.6 per cent, which Ms Gomashie said reflected an expanding ecosystem of tour operators, travel agencies, destination service providers, excursion businesses and other tourism intermediaries.

She said the expansion was significant for employment creation and the development of businesses that support Ghana’s tourism industry.

The hotel sector also continued to provide employment, with star-rated hotels recording an average workforce of 101 employees per hotel.

Of this figure, 80 were full-time employees, comprising 39 males and 41 females, while 21 were temporary workers, made up of 12 males and nine females.

Ms Gomashie said the performance demonstrated the wider economic importance of tourism, culture and the creative arts to Ghana.

According to her, the sectors generate income, create employment and provide opportunities for businesses while helping to project Ghana’s identity and heritage internationally.

She noted that attractions such as the Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, national parks, beaches and cultural festivals continue to draw visitors and generate foreign exchange for the economy.

The benefits extend to businesses operating across the tourism value chain, including hotels, restaurants, transport operators and other service providers.

The minister also highlighted the contribution of the creative arts, including music, film, fashion, crafts, dance and traditional festivals, to economic activity and employment.

She said Ghanaian cultural products such as highlife, Afrobeat, kente, fugu and locally produced textiles have gained international recognition, creating opportunities for exports and cultural tourism.

Ms Gomashie said the combined growth of tourism, culture and the creative arts was helping to promote entrepreneurship, preserve Ghana’s cultural heritage and contribute to the country’s broader economic development.

“In the period since I took office as Minister and now, significant progress has been made in the sector and I am happy to account to the good people of Ghana,” she said.

Prince Antwi

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