Overnight Trips Fueled GHS 4.8bn in Domestic Tourism Spending in Ghana in 2023

By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi

Overnight domestic travel emerged as the backbone of Ghana’s domestic tourism economy in 2023, generating an estimated GHS 4.8 billion in spending and accounting for nearly three-quarters of total domestic tourism expenditure, according to data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

The figures show that overnight trips contributed about 73 per cent of the total GHS 6.6 billion spent on domestic tourism during the year, underscoring the economic importance of longer journeys that typically involve higher spending on transport, accommodation, food, and a range of local services. Compared with same-day trips, overnight travel creates stronger linkages with local economies, sustaining hotels, guesthouses, eateries, transport operators and informal businesses in destination communities.

Road transport remained the dominant mode of travel for overnight trips, with buses and minibuses carrying the majority of travellers across the country. The data reflect Ghana’s continued reliance on road transport for domestic mobility, particularly for inter-regional travel. More than 95 per cent of domestic trips were self-arranged, highlighting the independent nature of travel planning among Ghanaians, who largely organise their own routes, schedules and accommodation rather than relying on tour operators.

As the Christmas and New Year festive season approaches in 2025, industry players expect a repeat of these travel patterns. Transport operators anticipate a surge in overnight journeys, especially from urban centres to regional capitals and hometowns. Bus terminals and minibus stations in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, Takoradi and other major cities are expected to experience heavy congestion, with long queues and heightened demand for transport services. In response, many operators are planning additional trips, extended operating hours and adjusted schedules to cope with the seasonal rush.

The GSS data further show that working-age adults remain the main drivers of overnight domestic travel. Individuals aged between 25 and 44 accounted for 35.2 per cent of all overnight trips in 2023, reflecting the strong participation of the economically active population. Spending associated with these trips largely takes place at destination points, directly benefiting local hotels, guesthouses, roadside food vendors, markets and small community-based enterprises.

Social motivations were the dominant reason for overnight travel, reinforcing the cultural and social foundations of domestic tourism in Ghana. More than 80 per cent of overnight trips were undertaken to visit friends and relatives or to attend funerals, highlighting the importance of family ties, cultural obligations and communal events in shaping travel behaviour. These social journeys, while not always classified as leisure tourism, nevertheless generate significant economic activity in host communities.

Although the data relate to 2023, analysts believe the trends remain relevant as Ghana heads into the 2025 festive season. Overnight domestic travel is expected to continue playing a critical role in stimulating local economies, supporting jobs in transport and hospitality, and spreading tourism-related income beyond major urban centres.

With appropriate planning, improved transport safety and targeted investment in affordable accommodation and roadside services, stakeholders say domestic overnight travel could be further leveraged as a reliable pillar of Ghana’s tourism and local economic development strategy.