Ghana’s domestic tourism sector generated a total of GH₵6.59 billion in expenditure in 2023, powered by robust same-day and overnight travel, according to a new fact sheet from the Domestic and Outbound Tourism Survey (DOTS) released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
The survey recorded 15,388,978 domestic tourist visits during the year, confirming domestic travel as a central pillar of Ghana’s tourism economy and an expanding income source for households, transport operators, accommodation facilities and local businesses nationwide.
DOTS is a core component of Ghana’s tourism planning framework and provides the empirical foundation for the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), which tracks tourism’s contribution to the wider economy. Government Statistician, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu said the findings offer credible evidence to steer both policy and investment.
“The Domestic and Outbound Tourism Survey provides the statistical backbone for understanding how Ghanaians travel, spend, and engage in tourism,” Dr. Iddrisu stated. “These insights are essential for effective planning and for strengthening the Tourism Satellite Account.”
The survey aligns Ghana’s tourism statistics with international standards and supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to economic growth and sustainable cities and communities.
In 2023, Ghana recorded 6.6 million domestic same-day visitors and 8.8 million domestic overnight visitors. Same-day trips generated an estimated GH₵1.83 billion in spending, while overnight visitors spent approximately GH₵4.76 billion, underscoring the higher economic impact of longer stays.
Social travel continues to dominate domestic tourism patterns. Across all quarters, almost 70 per cent of same-day trips were made to visit friends and relatives, with at least 29 per cent associated with funerals. For overnight travel, more than 80 per cent of trips were for visiting friends and relatives, while funerals accounted for at least 39.7 per cent.
Travel activity remains concentrated in the southern part of the country. The Ashanti and Greater Accra regions emerged as the top destinations, each attracting over 300,000 same-day visitors per quarter. Both regions also received more than 250,000 overnight visitors per quarter, reflecting their high population densities and stronger infrastructure.
Dr. Iddrisu noted that the data highlights the need to integrate domestic tourism statistics more systematically into national development planning.
“By aligning DOTS with global statistical frameworks, Ghana is positioning tourism as a measurable and accountable contributor to economic growth,” he said.
While domestic tourism is already performing strongly, the GSS stressed that the next priority is the better organisation of the sector and ensuring communities capture greater value. Recommended policy actions include upgrading roads and transport services along key travel corridors, support.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson #ahotoronline.com