By: Deborah Amewoyi
Ghana Tourism Authority as part of its annual report has announced that the Authority has seen a significant increase in international arrivals and a growth in domestic tourism travels as part its 2024 annual tourism report.
Speaking at the launch of the 2024 tourism report under the theme, Growth and Sustainability, Acting Chief Executive Officer of GTA, Maame Efua Houadjeto touching on the significant increase in the number of tourists recorded last year stressed on the fact that despite the global and regional economic pressures, the tourism sector maintained a strong growth.
She further characterized this improvement to “targeted marketing campaigns, strategic partnerships, and enhanced digital platforms” within the tourism industry. “particularly the See Ghana, Eat Ghana, Wear Ghana, Feel Ghana campaign” she cited.
Despite these positive yields, Maame Houadjeto noted some existing setbacks that hindered the industry from unleashing it’s full potential. she cited the inadequate access to tourism sites and the need to improve customer service delivery as part of the major setbacks within the industry.
According to the report, ranking the top ten most visited tourist sites within the country, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial park was ranked the most visited tourist site attracting a 333,233 number of visitors or tourists. The next most visited place is the the Kakum National park porpular for its famous canopy walk way with a 183, 757 number of visits. Bunso Arboretum which is located in the Eastern Region recorded a 155, 149, Kumasi Zoo recorded a 133, 954 and the Cape Coast Castle which came 5th saw a 120,242 number of visits.
The remaining five tourist sites recorded as follows; The Manhyia palace museum – 106,100, Elmina Castle in Cape coast – 87,691, Accra Zoo – 83,953, Shai hills reserves – 67,881 and the Aburi Botanical Gardens a 52, 330 number of visits.
Conclusively, the total amount of revenue generated from both international and domestic tourism was increased to US$4.8 billion in 2024 from its previous record of $3.8 billion recorded in 2023.
