Tourism Industry Set to Generate $3.4bn Revenue in 2023
The Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture (MoTAC) and Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) have set an ambitious goal for the 2023 operational year, aiming for 1.2 million international tourist arrivals and 1.2 million domestic tourists in Ghana. The Minister for Tourism, Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, predicts that achieving this target will create 150,000 jobs for young people in various sub-sectors of the industry. In 2022, Ghana experienced a 46.7% increase in international tourist arrivals from 623,523 in 2021 to 914,892, and the minister anticipates further growth with expected revenue of US$3.4 billion in 2023, up from the US$2 billion realized in 2022.
Dr Awal believes that Ghana can surpass other key sectors such as mining, cocoa, oil, and gas by achieving its international arrivals target of two million and generating over US$5.2 billion in revenue by 2025. Despite Ghana's arrivals recovery rate standing at 81%, which is higher than the African average and comparable to recovery levels for European markets, Dr Awal emphasized the need to attract more tourists to deepen the sector's growth and progress.
To achieve these ambitious goals, continuous investment in infrastructure, marketing, and training will be necessary for Ghana to compete with other destinations in the region. The Chief Executive Officer, Mr Akwasi Agyeman, highlights the crucial role of tourism data in policy formulation and measuring return on investments.
To celebrate GTA's 50th anniversary, the organization has planned various activities, including the Kwahu Paragliding Festival, May Day celebrations, staff bonding activities, a tourism summit chaired by the president, health screenings, blood donations, and the launch of a retiree association, a tour of key sites and attractions, Panafest and Emancipation Day in July, and an Industry Games to conclude the celebrations in August.
