Ghana welcomed 1.3 million international tourists in 2025, as the country’s tourism sector continued to expand despite a decline in tourism receipts.

The country recorded 1,306,962 international tourist arrivals in 2025, up 1.4% from the 1,288,804 visitors recorded in 2024, according to the Ghana Tourism Authority.

However, tourism revenue fell to about $4.34 billion in 2025, compared with approximately $4.82 billion the previous year, representing a decline of around 10%.

The figures highlight a mixed performance for Ghana’s tourism industry: more international visitors arrived, but they generated less revenue.

Average spending per international visitor also declined, falling from about $3,743 in 2024 to roughly $3,320 in 2025.

The decline in visitor spending means that Ghana’s challenge is no longer simply to attract more tourists, but also to increase the economic value generated by each visitor through longer stays, higher spending and greater participation in local tourism businesses.

December, one of Ghana’s busiest tourism periods, provided a strong boost to the sector. The country recorded 141,186 international arrivals that month, an 11.35% increase from the 126,791 visitors recorded in December 2024.

Domestic tourism also remained significant. Visits to 55 major tourist sites approached 1.8 million in 2025, underlining the importance of domestic travel alongside international tourism.

Ghana has increasingly positioned tourism as a source of foreign exchange, employment and economic diversification. The country has promoted its cultural heritage, historical sites, festivals and initiatives aimed at attracting visitors from across Africa and the global diaspora.

The latest figures nevertheless point to the need for the sector to focus on the quality and economic impact of tourism rather than visitor numbers alone.

For Ghana, increasing international arrivals while reversing the decline in tourism receipts will be a key challenge in the years ahead. The government and private-sector operators will need to encourage longer stays, increase visitor spending and ensure that a greater share of tourism revenues reaches local businesses and communities.

With more than 1.3 million international visitors in 2025, Ghana remains one of West Africa’s leading tourism destinations, but the decline in receipts shows that attracting more tourists does not automatically translate into stronger economic returns.