Ghana’s tourism industry recorded growth in 2025, with international arrivals, domestic visits and the number of licensed tourism businesses all increasing during the year.
International tourist arrivals rose to 1,306,962 in 2025, up from 1,288,804 recorded in 2024, generating an estimated $4.34 billion in tourism revenue.
The figures were disclosed by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, during the Government Accountability Series in Accra on Monday.
The Minister said the growth was also reflected in domestic tourism, with visits to tourist destinations increasing from 1.68 million in 2024 to 1.79 million in 2025, representing a seven per cent increase.
Tourism businesses record strong growth
Madam Gomashie said the expansion in visitor numbers was accompanied by growth in tourism-related businesses across the country.
Licensed tourism enterprises increased from 6,702 in 2024 to 7,109 in 2025, representing a 6.1 per cent increase.
Accommodation establishments grew by 4.1 per cent, from 5,210 to 5,424, while businesses operating in the food, beverage and entertainment sector increased from 814 to 881, representing 8.2 per cent growth.
The strongest expansion was recorded among trade and travel enterprises, which increased from 678 to 804, representing an 18.6 per cent rise.
According to the Minister, the growth in travel-related businesses points to an expanding tourism ecosystem involving tour operators, travel agencies, destination service providers and excursion businesses.
She said the expansion was significant because of its potential to support employment and create more opportunities for people participating in the tourism value chain.
Domestic attractions drive tourism
The Minister said Ghana’s leading tourist attractions continued to account for a significant proportion of domestic visits.
The country’s 10 most visited attractions recorded a combined 1,377,588 visitors in 2025, representing about 77 per cent of domestic tourism site visits nationwide.
They included the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Kakum National Park, Bonsu Arboretum/Eco Park, Cape Coast Castle, Manhyia Palace, Kumasi Zoo, Accra Zoo, Elmina Castle, Shai Hills Resource Reserve and Aburi Botanical Gardens.
Hospitality sector sustains jobs
Madam Gomashie also highlighted the contribution of the hospitality industry to employment.
She said star-rated hotels in Ghana employed an average of 101 workers per hotel, comprising 80 full-time employees and 21 temporary workers.
The full-time workforce consisted of 39 males and 41 females, while the temporary workforce comprised 12 males and nine females.
The Minister said the overall figures demonstrated the growing contribution of tourism to economic activity, employment creation and national development.
She stressed that the notable rise in travel and trade enterprises was particularly important because it reflected increasing activity across different segments of Ghana’s tourism industry.
