Ghana Records 11.35% Rise in December 2025 International Arrivals
Ghana recorded a significant 11.35 per cent increase in international arrivals during December 2025, according to the newly released 2025 Ghana Tourism Report. The figures underscore the country’s growing appeal as a premier destination for diaspora travellers, cultural tourists and leisure visitors from across the globe.
International arrivals in December rose from 126,791 in 2024 to 141,186 in 2025, a jump that reflects the enduring pull of what has become known as “December in GH” or “Detty December”. The festive season, which now rivals any major tourism event on the African continent, draws thousands of visitors each year for concerts, festivals, nightlife, cultural events and heritage tourism activities.
The phenomenon has its roots in the Year of Return and Beyond the Return initiatives, which positioned Ghana as a preferred destination for diaspora engagement and cultural reconnection. What began as a campaign to mark 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived in the Americas has evolved into a sustained tourism movement that continues to deliver economic benefits.
Beyond the December surge, the full-year picture tells a story of modest but steady growth. Ghana recorded 1,306,962 international tourist arrivals in 2025, a 1.4 per cent increase over the 1,288,804 arrivals recorded the previous year. The report, published under the theme “Resilience and Sustainable Growth”, notes that the sector has maintained its upward trajectory despite global economic headwinds.
Domestic tourism also showed strength, with more than 1.79 million visits recorded at 55 tourist sites across the country. The figure reflects increasing participation in local travel and growing interest among Ghanaians in exploring their own heritage and natural attractions.
However, the report reveals a troubling decline in international tourism receipts. While total international receipts stood at $4.83 billion in 2024, the figure dropped to $4.34 billion in 2025 — a fall of more than $490 million. The gap between rising visitor numbers and falling revenue raises questions about visitor spending patterns, the types of tourists Ghana is attracting and whether the country is doing enough to encourage longer stays and higher per-capita expenditure.
On the supply side, the number of licensed tourism enterprises grew from 6,702 in 2024 to 7,109 in 2025, while travel trade activities expanded by 18.6 per cent. The entertainment and conference segment registered 14.3 per cent growth, signalling increasing demand for tourism-related services and events beyond the traditional leisure market.
Cruise tourism continued its steady expansion, with 18 cruise ship calls and 5,488 passengers arriving through the ports of Tema and Takoradi during the year. While still a small segment, the growth of cruise tourism suggests potential for further development of Ghana’s coastal attractions and port infrastructure.
The 2025 Ghana Tourism Report provides a comprehensive analysis of the industry’s performance and presents key data to support policy formulation, investment decisions and strategic planning across the tourism value chain. For a country that has invested heavily in positioning itself as a cultural and heritage destination, the December numbers offer encouragement. But the decline in receipts is a reminder that attracting visitors is only half the challenge — keeping them spending is the other.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
