GHANA INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS' SURVEY
Ghana
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Reference ID
DDI-GHA-GSS-GITS-2022-2023Q1-Q4-v1.1
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Created on
Dec 02, 2025
Last modified
Dec 04, 2025
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Identification
Survey ID Number
DDI-GHA-GSS-GITS-2022-2023Q1-Q4-v1.1
Title
GHANA INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS' SURVEY
Country
| Name | Country code |
|---|---|
| Ghana | GH |
Abstract
Ghana's tourism sector is increasingly recognised as a driver of economic growth, cultural exchange, and regional integration. As Ghana deepens its commitment to evidence-led planning and international competitiveness, the production of quality tourism statistics has become indispensable. The Ghana International Travellers' Survey (GITS) supports this agenda by generating baseline data on inbound visitors to inform the effective development of Ghana's tourism sector.
The Inbound Overnight Visitors' Report presents a comprehensive analysis of visitors who spent at least one night in Ghana from Q4 2022 to Q3 2023. It examines the profiles and economic contributions of these visitors, aiming to strengthen Ghana's tourism data ecosystem and support evidence-based decision-making. Aligned with national strategies such as the National Tourism Development Plan (2013-2027) and the Black Star Experience initiative, the report provides critical insights into visitor volumes, trip characteristics, and expenditure to inform planning, policy formulation, and investment decisions across the tourism value chain.
To ensure accuracy and international comparability, data were collected following the UN's Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) framework. The survey was conducted at six key exit points out of the official 46 exit points in Ghana. These were the Kotoka International Airport, three land borders (Aflao, Paga, and Elubo), and two seaports (Tema and Takoradi). Using a random sampling method, tourists were systematically selected based on departure schedules and eligibility criteria. Interviews were conducted face-to-face using tablet-based Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) in English and French. Survey weights were computed to adjust for selection probabilities, non-response, and variations across exit points, ensuring representative national estimates.
A total of 888,516 inbound overnight visitors were recorded during the period, with a 61.6% surge in Q3 2023 (301,311 visitors) compared to Q4 2022. The majority were males aged 36-64 years, with over half possessing tertiary education. West Africa remained the dominant source region, with Nigeria consistently topping the list across all quarters. Meanwhile, visits from the Americas, Europe, and Asia steadily increased, highlighting Ghana's growing international tourism appeal.
Air travel was the primary mode of entry (91%), particularly among female visitors. Most travellers (95%) organised self-arranged tours, with the main purposes of visit being visiting friends and relatives, followed by business and professional activities, and holidays, leisure, and recreation, especially during flagship campaigns like "December in Ghana." Top attractions included Independence Square, the Arts Centre, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, and Kakum National Park.
With the median length of stay being 12 nights, visitors from Central Africa typically stayed over 10 days, West Africans averaged 1-3 nights, and those from Europe and Asia stayed the longest (up to 28 nights). Accommodation patterns also shifted, with hotel stays rising from 87,212 in Q4 2022 to 146,571 in Q3 2023, while those staying with friends and relatives increased from 47,187 to 85,484 over the same period.
The Inbound Overnight Visitors' Report presents a comprehensive analysis of visitors who spent at least one night in Ghana from Q4 2022 to Q3 2023. It examines the profiles and economic contributions of these visitors, aiming to strengthen Ghana's tourism data ecosystem and support evidence-based decision-making. Aligned with national strategies such as the National Tourism Development Plan (2013-2027) and the Black Star Experience initiative, the report provides critical insights into visitor volumes, trip characteristics, and expenditure to inform planning, policy formulation, and investment decisions across the tourism value chain.
To ensure accuracy and international comparability, data were collected following the UN's Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) framework. The survey was conducted at six key exit points out of the official 46 exit points in Ghana. These were the Kotoka International Airport, three land borders (Aflao, Paga, and Elubo), and two seaports (Tema and Takoradi). Using a random sampling method, tourists were systematically selected based on departure schedules and eligibility criteria. Interviews were conducted face-to-face using tablet-based Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) in English and French. Survey weights were computed to adjust for selection probabilities, non-response, and variations across exit points, ensuring representative national estimates.
A total of 888,516 inbound overnight visitors were recorded during the period, with a 61.6% surge in Q3 2023 (301,311 visitors) compared to Q4 2022. The majority were males aged 36-64 years, with over half possessing tertiary education. West Africa remained the dominant source region, with Nigeria consistently topping the list across all quarters. Meanwhile, visits from the Americas, Europe, and Asia steadily increased, highlighting Ghana's growing international tourism appeal.
Air travel was the primary mode of entry (91%), particularly among female visitors. Most travellers (95%) organised self-arranged tours, with the main purposes of visit being visiting friends and relatives, followed by business and professional activities, and holidays, leisure, and recreation, especially during flagship campaigns like "December in Ghana." Top attractions included Independence Square, the Arts Centre, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, and Kakum National Park.
With the median length of stay being 12 nights, visitors from Central Africa typically stayed over 10 days, West Africans averaged 1-3 nights, and those from Europe and Asia stayed the longest (up to 28 nights). Accommodation patterns also shifted, with hotel stays rising from 87,212 in Q4 2022 to 146,571 in Q3 2023, while those staying with friends and relatives increased from 47,187 to 85,484 over the same period.
Unit of Analysis
The GITS survey adopted a random sampling approach from a target population of international travellers exiting Ghana daily during the period. The sampling frame was based on administrative records from the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), which captures traveller data at all exit points, including the purpose of visit. Only travellers identified as tourists were eligible for the survey.
Out of the 46 official exit points in Ghana, six (6) were selected based on traffic volume, operational feasibility, and data availability. These included: Kotoka International Airport (KIA); Land borders: Aflao, Elubo, and Paga; Seaports: Tema and Takoradi. Individuals who exited Ghana through any of the exit points formed the sampling unit.
Out of the 46 official exit points in Ghana, six (6) were selected based on traffic volume, operational feasibility, and data availability. These included: Kotoka International Airport (KIA); Land borders: Aflao, Elubo, and Paga; Seaports: Tema and Takoradi. Individuals who exited Ghana through any of the exit points formed the sampling unit.
Scope
Keywords
| Keyword |
|---|
| Inbound Overnight Visitor/Tourist |
| Tourist Sites Visited |
| Expenditure of Visitors |
| Accomodation Used |
| Type of Tour |
| Hotel |
| Airbnb |
| Country of Residence |
| Duration of a Trip |
| Exit Point |
| Expenditure on Accommodation |
| Expenditure on Food and Beverages |
| Expenditure on Other Services |
| Length of Stay |
| Package Tour |
Coverage
Geographic Coverage
Nation-wide
Producers and sponsors
Producers
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Ghana Statistical Service | autonomous | Documentation of the study |
Funding Agency/Sponsor
| Name | Abbreviation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Harmonising and Improving Statistics in West Africa Project | ( HISWAP) | Funds |
| World Bank | World Bank | Technical assistance |
| Government of Ghana | (GoG) | Technical assistance |
Sampling
Sampling Procedure
The GITS survey adopted a random sampling approach from a target population of international travellers exiting Ghana daily during the period. The sampling frame was based on administrative records from the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), which captures traveller data at all exit points, including the purpose of visit. Only travellers identified as tourists were eligible for the survey.
Out of the 46 official exit points in Ghana, six (6) were selected based on traffic volume, operational feasibility, and data availability. These included: Kotoka International Airport (KIA); Land borders: Aflao, Elubo, and Paga; Seaports: Tema and Takoradi. Individuals who exited Ghana through any of the exit points formed the sampling unit.
At each point of departure, a systematic random sampling was applied. At the airport, visitors who completed all immigration formalities and went through the boarding gates for departure were systematically selected for interviews at fixed intervals from a random start of every third (3rd) visitor by seating arrangements. At the land borders, the interviews were done just after immigration formalities concluded, while similar techniques were used at the seaports, where crew/passengers of visitor vessels that docked at the port and had visas to enter Ghana were considered the targeted population and interviewed.
Out of the 46 official exit points in Ghana, six (6) were selected based on traffic volume, operational feasibility, and data availability. These included: Kotoka International Airport (KIA); Land borders: Aflao, Elubo, and Paga; Seaports: Tema and Takoradi. Individuals who exited Ghana through any of the exit points formed the sampling unit.
At each point of departure, a systematic random sampling was applied. At the airport, visitors who completed all immigration formalities and went through the boarding gates for departure were systematically selected for interviews at fixed intervals from a random start of every third (3rd) visitor by seating arrangements. At the land borders, the interviews were done just after immigration formalities concluded, while similar techniques were used at the seaports, where crew/passengers of visitor vessels that docked at the port and had visas to enter Ghana were considered the targeted population and interviewed.
Weighting
Survey weights were computed at each exit point to correct for unequal selection probabilities and allow for unbiased population estimates. The weighting process involved three key stages:
The first stage probability was based on the number of days worked by interviewers. This was computed as the number of days worked in specified days within the month per the total number of days in a month.
The first stage probability was based on the number of days worked by interviewers. This was computed as the number of days worked in specified days within the month per the total number of days in a month.
Data Collection
Data Collection Mode
Computer Assisted Personal Interview [CAPI]
Metadata production
DDI Document ID
DDI-GHA-GSS-GITS-2022-2023Q1-Q4-v1.1
Producers
| Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghana Statistical Service | GSS | autonomous | Documentation of the study |