Tourism Rakes in $1.8bn
Between January and June 2024
By Elvis DARKO, Accra
Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam has announced a significant boost in Ghana’s tourism revenue, generating approximately $1.8 billion in the first half of 2024.
This marks an increase from $1.5 billion during the same period in 2023.
This growth in the tourism sector is part of a broader strategy to position Ghana as a leading destination for international tourists, leveraging its rich cultural heritage and historical sites.
The improvements in infrastructure and marketing efforts are aimed at sustaining this upward trend, ensuring long-term benefits for the country’s economy and local communities.
While delivering the 2024 mid-year budget review in Parliament, Dr. Adam highlighted the rise in tourist arrivals, which have grown from about 500,000 in 2023 to nearly 600,000 in the first half of 2024.
“Mr. Speaker, Ghana is being positioned as an internationally competitive tourism destination.
“Tourist arrivals have increased from about 500,000 in 2023 to almost 600,000 in the first half of 2024, increasing receipts to about $1.8 billion compared to $1.5 billion over the same period last year,” he stated.
Key tourist sites enhanced
“To complement this progress, we have enhanced tourism infrastructure, marketing, and supply-chain links, through the redevelopment of key tourist sites such as Aburi Gardens, Yaa Asantewaa mausoleum, the museum at Ejisu, and the Pikworo Slave camp,” he added.
Dr. Adam emphasized the government’s commitment to further enhancing the tourism sector through the redevelopment of key tourist sites.
$2.51bn in 2022
The country’s tourism receipts rose from $2.51 billion in 2022 to $3 billion last year, surpassing the pre-COVID-19 record of $3.31 billion.
1.148m tourists in 2023
Last year’s all-time high receipts accrued from 1.148 million tourists, posting a substantial increase over the pre-COVID-19 turnover of 1.13 million visitors, mainly due to the Year of Return initiative.
914,892 tourists in 2022
In addition, the number of tourists for last year was 25% more than the 914,892 recorded in 2022, while the receipts represented a 51.9% increase over 2022.
Average tourist expenditure was $3,746.65 in 2023
Last year, the average tourist expenditure rose to $3,746.65, up from an average tourist expenditure of $2,931 in 2019.
69% decline in pandemic year of 2020
In 2019, international arrivals stood at 1,130,307, while 2020 saw a sharp decline of 69% due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
76% surge in 2021
There was a remarkable rebound in the third and fourth quarters of 2021, leading to a 76% surge in total arrivals during that period.
Impact of December in Ghana (DiGH)
The generating markets of December in Ghana (DiGH) participants saw the highest total arrivals of 125,461, 7.7% more than the pre-pandemic arrivals of December 2019.
Hotel stays declined, Airbnb usage surge to 27% in 2023
In terms of accommodation, hotel stays declined slightly by three to five percent, while Airbnb usage surged from 11.5% in 2021 to 27% in 2023.
Participants stayed an average of 17 nights
Participants stayed an average of 17 nights, with males staying slightly longer at 17 days compared to females at 16 days.
