Keypoints:
- 12 % jump to 1.29 m visitors
- US, Nigeria & UK top source markets
- 88 % rate Ghana ‘ideal destination’
GHANA saw a remarkable 12 percent surge in international travel in 2024, welcoming 1,288,804 visitors — up from 1,148,002 in 2023 — as reported by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA). This growth reinforces Ghana’s standing as a premier travel destination in West Africa.
Balanced visitor motivations, strong satisfaction
Visitor motives were diverse: 22.29 percent for family and friends, 22.15 percent for holidays, 7.06 percent for study or teaching, and 2.43 percent for business travel.
Crucially, 88 percent of respondents rated Ghana as an ‘ideal destination’, with 94 percent praising its hospitality, and 39 percent each highlighting cultural heritage and safety. Local cuisine was lauded by 28 percent. Overall satisfaction was high — 78 percent described their stay as ‘excellent’.
Kotoka Airport remains main entry point
More than 1.13 million of the visitors entered through Kotoka International Airport, reaffirming its role as the country’s primary gateway.
Regional land crossings at Aflao, Elubo, and Paga also showed solid traffic.
US, Nigeria and UK lead arrivals
The largest source markets were the United States (137,862 visitors), Nigeria (111,581), and the United Kingdom (52,845). These three countries continue to supply the bulk of international travellers, reflecting Ghana’s strong cultural and economic ties, as well as thriving diaspora
connections.
Record arrivals fuel economic momentum
According to a recent update from Travel and Tour World, the tourism boom generated historic revenues, with the sector earning approximately $4.8bn in 2024. Cruise tourism also saw robust growth: 14 liners docked at Tema and Takoradi, transporting 12,634 passengers (a 38 percent increase over 2023).
Domestic tourism also on the rise
The GTA report reveals domestic visits to top tourist sites reached 1.68 million — a 19 percent uplift on the previous year, reflecting rising local interest in Ghana’s cultural and natural treasures.
What’s next: enhancing infrastructure & global appeal
Launched on July 3, 2025 in Accra, the 2024 Tourism Report, underpinned by the theme ‘Growth and Stability’, was presented by Acting CEO Maame Efua Houadjeto and Deputy Minister Yussif Issaka Jajah. They credited the success to strategic marketing campaigns like ‘See Ghana, Eat Ghana, Wear Ghana, Feel Ghana’, improved public–private collaboration, digital platforms, infrastructure upgrades, and service training.
Moving forward, efforts will focus on heritage restoration, regional tourism clusters, visa facilitation—especially during the December–January ‘Detty December’ festive season — and supporting youth- and women-run enterprises.
