Tourism enterprises rise 6.1%, Ghana records $4.34bn revenue

Ghana’s licensed tourism enterprises increased from 6,702 in 2024 to 7,109 in 2025, representing a 6.1 per cent growth, as the country’s tourism sector recorded notable expansion in both domestic and international visitation. The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and Member of Parliament for Ketu South Constituency, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, disclosed the figures during the Government Accountability Series, where she outlined key developments and performance indicators in the tourism sector.

According to the Minister, Ghana welcomed 1,306,962 international tourist arrivals in 2025, up from 1,288,804 arrivals recorded in 2024. The increase reflects continued demand for Ghana as a destination, with the sector also benefiting from growing interest in domestic tourism. Domestic tourism visits rose from approximately 1.68 million in 2024 to 1.79 million in 2025, representing a 7 per cent increase.

The combined international and domestic tourism activity contributed significantly to the sector’s economic performance, with total revenue generated from tourist arrivals in 2025 estimated at US$4.34 billion. The Minister also disclosed that the country’s leading tourist attractions accounted for 1,377,588 visits in 2025, representing about 77 per cent of all tourism visits recorded during the year. The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park ranked among the most visited attractions, followed by Kakum National Park and Bonsu Arboretum/Eco Park.

The other attractions in the top 10 were Cape Coast Castle, Manhyia Palace, Kumasi Zoo, Accra Zoo, Elmina Castle, Shai Hills Resource Reserve and Aburi Botanical Gardens. The figures highlight the continued importance of Ghana’s historical, cultural, environmental and recreational sites to the country’s tourism economy. The strong concentration of visits among the leading attractions also points to the significant role of major heritage sites, national parks, botanical gardens and recreational facilities in attracting both domestic and international visitors.

The growth in licensed tourism enterprises, alongside increased domestic and international visitation, indicates an expanding tourism ecosystem involving accommodation facilities, attractions, travel businesses and other tourism-related enterprises. The increased number of licensed enterprises from 6,702 to 7,109 also represents an additional 407 licensed businesses operating within the sector.

The figures formed part of the government’s broader assessment of the performance of the tourism, culture and creative arts sector as the administration accounts to the public on its activities and achievements. The 2025 performance, particularly the rise in domestic tourism, international arrivals and tourism-related revenue, underscores the sector’s growing contribution to Ghana’s economy and its potential to support employment, enterprise development and investment.

With the government seeking to strengthen tourism as a major pillar of economic development, the latest figures provide a basis for renewed attention to the maintenance, promotion and expansion of the country’s key tourism destinations.

By: Joyce Owusu