"Ghanaians Aren\u2019t Waiting for Corporate Travel Budgets \u2014 90% Now Fund Their Own Business Trips"

Ghanaian outbound overnight visitors spent a total of GHS 3.4 billion in 2023, according to the latest Outbound Overnight Visitors’ Report released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

The report indicates that nearly 90 percent of this expenditure came from self-arranged trips, with the highest spending recorded among travellers journeying for business and professional purposes, particularly to North America and Asia.

According to the GSS, the findings confirm that outbound overnight tourism remains a vital component of Ghana’s engagement in cross-border commerce, social ties, and cultural exchange. However, the data also underscores the need to retain more of this economic value within the domestic tourism economy.

In total, Ghana recorded 393,305 outbound overnight visitors in 2023. Most of these travellers were aged between 25 and 44 years, self-employed, and engaged in service or trade-related occupations, reflecting the vibrancy of the country’s informal sector.

The Greater Accra Region emerged as the leading point of origin for outbound travellers, while West Africa remained the top destination, followed by North America and other African countries. On average, Ghanaian travellers spent seven nights in African destinations and 13 nights in North America, highlighting both the regional and global nature of Ghana’s travel patterns.

The report further reveals that visiting friends and relatives accounted for the largest share of outbound trips, followed by travel for funerals and business engagements. In terms of accommodation, most visitors stayed with family and friends, though hotels remained the preferred commercial option.

The GSS noted that the 2023 Outbound Overnight Visitors’ Report aligns with Ghana’s National Tourism Development Plan (2013–2027) and the 24-Hour Economy Programme, contributing directly to the development of the country’s first Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) – a globally recognised framework for quantifying tourism’s share of GDP and employment.

According to the Service, the publication serves as a blueprint for policymakers, investors, and development partners by providing evidence-based insights to strengthen Ghana’s tourism competitiveness, reduce foreign exchange leakages, and expand domestic and inbound tourism opportunities.

By acting on these insights, the GSS asserts, Ghana can transform outbound travel trends into domestic momentum, ensuring that tourism remains a key driver of inclusive growth, job creation, and national transformation.