Domestic Tourism Surges with GH¢6.6bn from Funerals and Visits
Ghana’s domestic tourism sector significantly boosted the national economy in 2023, generating a remarkable GH₵6.6 billion in expenditure, according to a new report.
The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) revealed on Tuesday that 15.4 million domestic trips were undertaken across all 16 regions of the country last year. A substantial portion of this travel was driven by social obligations, primarily attending funerals and visiting friends and relatives.
This data stems from the first-ever nationally representative survey on residents’ travel behaviour, encompassing both Ghanaian and non-Ghanaian residents. The survey establishes a crucial baseline for monitoring the growth of domestic tourism and accurately assessing its contribution to national development.
The findings indicate that approximately 70 per cent of same-day domestic trips were for visiting friends and relatives, with at least 29 per cent specifically for funeral attendance. Overnight trips showed an even stronger trend, with more than 80 per cent undertaken to visit relatives and friends, and nearly 40 per cent to attend funerals.
Other motivations for travel included business engagements, shopping, healthcare, holidays, recreation, education, religious observances, and cultural events. The report highlights the diverse range of activities contributing to domestic tourism.
Presenting the 2023 Domestic and Outbound Tourism Survey Report, Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu noted that females accounted for over half of all domestic visitors, averaging 54.4 percent per quarter.
He further explained that the 15.4 million domestic visitors comprised 8.8 million overnight visitors and 6.6 million same-day visitors. “This confirms that domestic tourism is not marginal leisure activity. It is driven by working residents in Ghana and embedded in everyday economic life,” Dr. Iddrisu emphasised. “Travel is overwhelmingly social and cultural. More than 80 percent of trips were made to attend funerals or to visit friends and relatives.”
Dr. Iddrisu underscored that domestic tourism is vital, stating, “tourism is not only about international arrivals. It’s about Ghanaians discovering their own country, spending within local economies, and sustaining livelihoods across communities.”
The Ashanti and Greater Accra regions emerged as the most popular destinations for same-day trips, while Ashanti, Eastern, and Greater Accra led in overnight stays. This disparity points to the need for more balanced tourism development across the country.
Popular tourist sites included the Aburi Botanical Gardens, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, and Kumasi Zoological Gardens, demonstrating continued interest in Ghana’s natural and historical attractions.
Based on the survey’s findings, Dr. Iddrisu recommended improvements to road infrastructure to enhance accessibility to tourist sites, raising service standards within the hospitality sector, and increased support for local festivals and cultural events. He stressed the importance of data-driven planning and investment to maximize tourism’s contribution to Ghana’s economic transformation.
The survey, a collaborative effort between the GSS, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and the World Bank, was conducted to strengthen domestic tourism data collection through the Tourism Satellite Account – a globally recognized framework for measuring tourism’s economic impact.
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