Ghana recorded more than 1.3 million international tourist arrivals in 2025, driven in part by strong festive-season travel linked to the country’s popular “December in GH” events, according to official tourism figures.
The data, published in the Ghana Tourism Authority’s 2025 Tourism Report, shows international arrivals reached 1,306,962, representing a 1.4% increase compared with 2024.
Officials say the growth reflects steady recovery and expansion in Ghana’s tourism sector, supported by both international and domestic travel demand.
December tourism surge
A notable rise was recorded during the peak festive season in December 2025, when arrivals increased by 11.35% year-on-year, reaching 141,186 visitors, compared with 126,791 in December 2024.
The December period widely known as “Detty December” or “December in GH” has become a major attraction for diaspora visitors and international tourists, featuring concerts, cultural festivals, nightlife events and heritage experiences.
Tourism authorities say the seasonal spike continues to strengthen Ghana’s global profile as a cultural tourism destination.
Business travel still dominates
Despite the popularity of festive tourism, official data indicates that business travel remains the leading reason for visits to Ghana, accounting for 31% of total arrivals.
Visits to family and friends accounted for 23%, while leisure tourism represented 11%.
Wider sector growth
The report also highlights broader gains across the tourism industry, including:
Domestic tourism exceeding 1.79 million visits across 55 sites
Growth in licensed tourism enterprises from 6,702 to 7,109
Expansion in travel trade activity by 18.6%
A 14.3% increase in entertainment and conference-related tourism
Cruise tourism also grew modestly, with 18 ship calls bringing thousands of passengers through Ghana’s ports in Tema and Takoradi.
Revenue decline despite higher arrivals
However, the report also notes a decline in international tourism receipts, which fell from $4.83 billion in 2024 to $4.34 billion in 2025, a drop of just over 10%.
Tourism officials say Ghana’s strategy is increasingly focused on sustainable growth, with emphasis on ecotourism, cultural experiences and business tourism (MICE).
They say the sector’s performance reflects both resilience and changing travel patterns, with growth driven more by volume of visitors than higher spending per tourist.
