Overnight domestic travel generated an estimated GHS 4.8 billion in 2023, accounting for 73 percent of the total GHS 6.6 billion spent on domestic tourism, according to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
The data highlight the economic significance of longer trips, with travellers spending on transport, accommodation, food, and other local services. Most overnight journeys were conducted by road, with buses and minibuses carrying the majority of travellers. More than 95 percent of domestic trips were self-arranged, reflecting the independence of Ghanaians in planning routes, schedules, and destinations.
As the Christmas and New Year festive season approaches in 2025, transport operators anticipate similar surges in overnight travel, with bus terminals and minibus stations across major cities and regional towns expected to face heavy congestion. Many travellers are likely to return to hometowns or regional destinations, creating long queues and high demand for road transport services. Operators are preparing extra trips and adjusted schedules to meet the seasonal rush.
Working-age adults, particularly those aged 25 to 44, accounted for 35.2 percent of overnight travel in 2023, showing that the economically active population plays a central role in sustaining the overnight tourism sector. Spending during these trips primarily occurs at the destination, benefiting local hotels, guesthouses, roadside eateries, and small community-based businesses.
The 2023 survey also shows that social motivations remain a key driver of overnight travel. Over 80 percent of overnight trips were made to visit friends and relatives or attend funerals, highlighting the importance of family networks, cultural ties, and social obligations in shaping domestic travel patterns.
While the data are from 2023, analysts suggest that the upcoming Christmas season in 2025 is likely to see similar patterns, with overnight travel continuing to fuel economic activity and support local businesses across the country.
