Ghana’s tourism business ecosystem continued to expand in 2025, with the number of licensed tourism enterprises rising by 6.1 percent to 7,109, amid growth in visitor numbers and tourism-related revenues.
The increase from 6,702 enterprises recorded in 2024 points to expanding commercial activity across the tourism value chain, including accommodation, food and beverage, entertainment and travel services.
The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Ms Abla Dzifa Gomashie, disclosed this at a Meet-the-Press engagement in Accra.
She said the expansion reflected growing opportunities for businesses to participate in the tourism economy, particularly as international and domestic tourism continued to strengthen.
Accommodation enterprises increased from 5,210 in 2024 to 5,424 in 2025, representing a 4.1 percent growth.
Food, beverage and entertainment enterprises recorded a stronger increase of 8.2 percent, rising from 814 to 881.
The travel trade segment recorded the highest growth, with licensed enterprises increasing from 678 to 804, representing an 18.6 percent expansion.
Ms Gomashie said the growth in travel trade businesses pointed to an expanding ecosystem of tour operators, travel agencies, destination service providers, excursion companies and other tourism intermediaries.
She said the expansion had the potential to deepen private-sector participation and create employment opportunities across the tourism value chain.
The growth in tourism enterprises occurred alongside an increase in tourism activity and visitor-related spending.
International tourist arrivals increased from 1,288,804 in 2024 to 1,306,962 in 2025, while domestic tourism visits rose by seven percent from 1.68 million to 1.79 million.
Tourism generated an estimated $4.34 billion in revenue from arrivals in 2025, underscoring the sector’s growing contribution to economic activity and foreign exchange earnings.
The figures also point to opportunities for businesses operating beyond traditional accommodation services, particularly in transportation, tour operations, restaurants, entertainment, events, cultural experiences and destination management.
The Minister said the Government would continue implementing measures to expand tourism activity, improve visitor experiences and create an enabling environment for businesses within the sector.
She said stronger tourism activity would require greater private-sector participation to develop products and services capable of attracting both international visitors and domestic travellers.
The continued expansion of licensed enterprises also provides a basis for businesses to explore opportunities across Ghana’s tourism value chain, particularly in destinations with significant cultural, historical and ecological attractions.
With domestic tourism visits reaching 1.79 million in 2025, businesses could also benefit from developing affordable and accessible tourism products targeted at the local market.
The Minister said the Government remained committed to positioning tourism as a stronger driver of jobs, enterprise development and economic growth.
