"Ghana spent GH¢4 Billion on outbound travel in 2023" — GSS Report

Ghanaian residents spent an estimated GH¢4 billion on international travel in 2023, according to the newly released Ghana 2023 Domestic and Outbound Tourism Survey Report by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

The Government Statistician, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, described the findings as a milestone in Ghana’s tourism data landscape, marking the first-ever comprehensive nationwide assessment of outbound tourism.

“For the first time, Ghana has compiled systematic, evidence-based data on outbound tourism — covering both Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians resident in Ghana who travelled abroad for leisure, business, and personal reasons,” Dr. Iddrisu said.

The survey revealed that a total of 470,806 outbound visitors were recorded in 2023.

Of this number, 77,500 were same-day visitors, while 393,306 travelled overnight.

Same-day travellers spent approximately GH¢60 million, with nearly half aged between 25 and 44 years, representing the most economically active demographic. Men dominated this category, largely for business (34%) and funeral-related (23%) trips.

The Ashanti Region recorded the highest number of same-day travellers, with Togo emerging as the top destination and highest-spending location per trip.

For overnight travellers, spending was estimated at GH¢3.4 billion.

Again, the 25–44 age group dominated, but female travellers slightly outnumbered males across most quarters, reflecting growing female participation in international mobility.

The main reason for outbound overnight travel was visiting friends and relatives (41%), followed by funerals and business trips.

The Greater Accra Region accounted for the largest number of outbound overnight visitors, while West Africa remained the preferred destination, highlighting strong sub-regional travel links.

Nearly 90% of overnight trips were self-arranged, though travellers to Europe and North America recorded higher average spending and longer stays.

Dr. Iddrisu noted that the findings underscore the vibrancy of Ghana’s outbound tourism market, driven mainly by young professionals and women.

“Our tourism strategies must be both age and gender responsive,” he stated.

"Government can retain more of this spending locally by investing in transport, airports, and hospitality infrastructure, ensuring that more of the GH¢4 billion circulates within the domestic economy.”

He further encouraged tax incentives to promote tour packages that integrate Ghanaian services, urging private sector collaboration among hotels, airlines, and travel agencies to develop end-to-end travel experiences.

Dr. Iddrisu also called for stronger linkages between tourism and local industries, including crafts, textiles, and souvenirs, to enhance Ghana’s visibility abroad and boost export-related earnings.

The survey, conducted using a two-stage stratified sampling method, covered 18,500 households across 16 regions, using face-to-face computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI).

According to Dr. Iddrisu, the data provides a foundation for Ghana’s first Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), which will help measure tourism’s true contribution to GDP and align with Sustainable Development Goal 8.9, promoting sustainable tourism and local culture.

The outbound tourism report forms part of a broader data initiative, with the Domestic Tourism Report to be launched in the coming weeks, and the Inbound Tourism Report scheduled for release on September 25, 2025.

“This marks a new chapter in evidence-based policymaking for Ghana’s tourism sector,” Dr. Iddrisu concluded.

"For the first time, we can quantify how residents travel, spend, and connect beyond our borders — and use that insight to build a stronger, more sustainable tourism economy.”

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith