Ghana’s local tourism industry recorded a total spending of GH₵6.59 billion in 2023, fueled by robust day trips and overnight journeys, according to findings from the Domestic and Outbound Tourism Survey (DOTS) published by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

The report indicates that 15.39 million domestic trips were undertaken within the year, confirming internal travel as a key contributor to the national tourism economy and an important income stream for families, transport providers, hotels, and small businesses nationwide.

DOTS serves as a cornerstone for tourism policy formulation in Ghana and feeds into the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), which tracks tourism’s overall economic impact. Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu explained that the data offers reliable insights to inform both public policy and private sector investment. He added that the survey meets global statistical benchmarks and supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on inclusive economic growth and resilient communities.

The 2023 figures show 6.6 million same-day domestic travelers and 8.8 million overnight travelers. Spending by same-day visitors was estimated at GH₵1.83 billion, while travelers who stayed at least one night accounted for about GH₵4.76 billion, demonstrating the greater financial impact of longer visits.

Visits for social purposes remain the dominant motivation for domestic travel. Throughout the year, close to 70 percent of same-day trips were taken to see friends and relatives, with funerals making up at least 29 percent of those journeys. For overnight travel, visits to friends and family exceeded 80 percent, while funeral-related travel represented a minimum of 39.7 percent.

Travel patterns continue to favor the southern part of the country. The Ashanti and Greater Accra regions stood out as the most visited areas, each attracting over 300,000 day visitors per quarter. Both regions also hosted more than 250,000 overnight travelers every quarter, reflecting their population size and relatively developed infrastructure.

Dr. Iddrisu noted that the findings highlight the importance of fully integrating domestic tourism data into national and regional development strategies. While performance levels are already strong, the GSS emphasized the need for better coordination to ensure communities benefit more directly. Recommended actions include upgrading road networks and transport services along major corridors, promoting cultural festivals and heritage sites, embedding tourism considerations into regional planning and small business support programmes, and creating low-cost travel options for independent local travelers.

The Service further stressed that expanding community-led tourism initiatives and strengthening local skills will be crucial to distributing tourism gains more evenly across the country and maintaining momentum in domestic travel growth.