Domestic tourism in Ghana is proving to be a significant contributor to the economy. The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has revealed that in 2023, Ghanaians undertook over 15 million domestic trips, generating an estimated GHS 6.6 billion in total spending. This spending flows directly into transport, accommodation, food services, and community-based businesses, highlighting the critical role of domestic travel in sustaining local economies.
The survey shows that overnight trips accounted for the largest share of domestic tourism expenditure, contributing GHS 4.8 billion, or 73 percent of total spending, while domestic same-day trips generated around GHS 1.8 billion, representing 27 percent. of the value. Across both categories, the majority of spending occurred during the trips themselves, demonstrating how domestic tourism translates directly into economic activity on the ground.
Domestic travel in Ghana is largely driven by social motivations. More than 80 percent of overnight trips and about 70 percent of same-day trips were undertaken to visit friends and relatives or attend funerals, reflecting the central role of family networks, cultural ties, and social events in shaping travel behavior.
Working-age adults, those aged 25 to 44, accounted for 41.1 percent of same-day trips and 35.2 percent of overnight trips, reflecting the mobility and economic power of the most active segment of the population. Most domestic trips, over 95 percent, were self-arranged, and the majority of journeys were made by road using buses and minivans, highlighting the importance of transport infrastructure in supporting domestic travel.
Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, Government Statistician, emphasized the broader significance of domestic travel, noting:
“This momentum has brought a powerful reminder that tourism is not only about international arrivals. It is also about Ghanaians discovering Ghana, investing in local experiences, and breathing economic life into the communities and sites they visit.”
With over 15 million trips and GHS 6.6 billion in spending, domestic tourism has emerged as a steady contributor to economic growth, supporting jobs, sustaining small businesses, and injecting liquidity into local economies.
