Ghana’s tourism industry recorded steady growth in 2025, with international tourist arrivals rising to 1,306,962 from 1,288,804 in 2024, according to the latest Tourism Report released by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA).
The report, themed “Resilience and Sustainable Growth,” showed that the sector expanded by 1.4 percent despite evolving global and domestic economic challenges, underscoring the industry’s resilience and continued appeal to visitors.
The GTA said the growth was supported by strong domestic tourism activity, expansion across tourism-related businesses and sustained investor confidence in the sector.
Domestic tourism continued to play a crucial role in the industry’s performance, with more than 1.79 million visits recorded at 55 tourist sites across the country in 2025.
According to the Authority, the figures demonstrate the increasing importance of local travel in supporting tourism businesses and reducing reliance on international arrivals.
The report also highlighted growth in tourism enterprises, with the number of licensed operators increasing from 6,702 in 2024 to 7,109 in 2025.
Industry expansion was reflected across several subsectors. Travel trade activities recorded an 18.6 percent increase during the year, while the entertainment and conference segment grew by 14.3 percent.
The GTA noted that the strong performance of conferences, exhibitions and related events reinforces Ghana’s position as a growing destination for business tourism in West Africa.
Business travel remained the leading reason for international visits, accounting for 31 percent of total arrivals in 2025.
The report further indicated that visitor satisfaction levels remained high, strengthening Ghana’s reputation as a preferred destination known for its hospitality, cultural heritage and welcoming environment.
Cruise tourism also continued its upward trajectory, with 18 cruise ship calls recorded at the Tema and Takoradi ports during the year. The vessels brought a total of 5,488 passengers, contributing to local tourism spending and economic activity.
The GTA attributed the sector’s positive performance to increasing investments in tourism infrastructure, improved destination marketing and growing interest in Ghana’s cultural and heritage attractions.
According to the report, sustainability, innovation and adaptability remain central to the country’s long-term tourism development strategy.
The Authority said future growth would increasingly be driven by high-value tourism offerings, including ecotourism, community-based tourism, heritage tourism and the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) segment.
It added that efforts were being intensified to integrate culture and the creative arts into tourism experiences to enhance Ghana’s attractiveness to both domestic and international visitors.
The report emphasised that strengthening sustainable tourism practices would be critical to preserving the country’s natural and cultural assets while creating jobs and generating economic opportunities.
The GTA expressed appreciation to tourism enterprises, development partners, researchers, regional offices, the media and other stakeholders for their continued contributions to the growth and development of Ghana’s tourism industry.
With domestic tourism expanding, business travel remaining strong and investment in tourism enterprises increasing, the report projects a positive outlook for the sector as Ghana seeks to position itself as a leading tourism destination on the African continent.
