GHS 3.4 Billion Leaves Ghana’s Economy Through Outbound Travel — GSS Report
Ghana recorded a total of 393,305 outbound overnight visitors in 2023, according to the latest Outbound Overnight Visitors’ Report published by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
The report highlights that the majority of travellers were aged between 25 and 44 years, predominantly self-employed and engaged in service or trade-related occupations, a reflection of Ghana’s growing informal economy and entrepreneurial activity.
The Greater Accra Region emerged as the leading point of origin for outbound overnight visitors, while West Africa remained the top destination, followed by North America and other African countries. On average, Ghanaians spent seven nights when visiting destinations within Africa and 13 nights in North America, underscoring the blend of regional and international travel patterns.
According to the GSS, visiting friends and relatives accounted for the largest proportion of trips, followed by travel for funerals and business engagements. The report further reveals that most visitors opted for non-commercial accommodation, particularly stays with family and friends, while hotels remained the preferred choice for those seeking commercial lodging.
Total expenditure by outbound overnight visitors reached GHS 3.4 billion in 2023, with nearly 90 percent of the spending associated with self-arranged trips. Business and professional travellers recorded the highest levels of expenditure, particularly on trips to North America and Asia.
Commenting on the findings, Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, noted that outbound overnight tourism plays a vital role in strengthening cross-border commerce, social ties, and cultural exchange. However, it also highlights the need for policy interventions to retain more of this tourism value within Ghana’s domestic economy.
To address this, the statistical agency has outlined four strategic recommendations for government and industry stakeholders:
Incentivise Domestic Travel through tax rebates on hotel stays, tourism vouchers, and subsidised internal flights to redirect a portion of outbound spending locally.
Regulate and Redirect Travel Promotion by requiring tour operators to showcase domestic destinations alongside foreign packages.
Develop Affordable Domestic Packages including family holidays, business-leisure trips, and cultural experiences that match the quality of regional offerings.
Invest in Service Excellence through enhanced training, digital tools, and customer service improvements to raise Ghana’s tourism standards to international levels.
The GSS maintains that effectively leveraging insights from outbound travel could catalyse growth in the domestic tourism sector, supporting job creation, revenue mobilisation, and sustainable economic development.
The 2023 Outbound Overnight Visitors’ Report offers the first comprehensive look at the patterns, behaviour and economic impact of residents who travelled outside Ghana for tourism purposes and stayed at least one night abroad.
