Ghana’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC) and Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) have announced a bold target of 1.2 million international tourist arrivals and 1.2 million domestic tourist numbers for the 2023 operational year.
Speaking at the Tourism Report Launch and 50th Anniversary Celebration of the GTA’s unveiling, the minister of tourism, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, said this ambitious target, if achieved, would represent a significant jump from 2022 figures, where international tourist arrivals grew by a strong 46.7% YoY from 623,523 in 2021 to 914,892 in 2022.
“From the target we have set, an estimated revenue of US$3.4billion will be generated in 2023, against the US$2billion realized in 2022.”
Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal
According to the minister, the industry projects to create some 150,000 jobs for young people in all sub-sectors.
Indeed, the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) report on the topic ‘Tourism Set To Return To Pre-Pandemic Levels In Some Regions’ in 2023 stated that Europe reached nearly 80 percent of pre-pandemic arrivals, with Africa and America hitting 65 percent of pre-pandemic levels.
Ghana’s arrivals recovery stands at 81%, significantly higher than the African average, and around that of recovery levels for European markets. However, the minister believes there is still more that can be done to attract tourists and further deepen the sector’s growth and progress.
“We want to rely on quality provisions to reach our set targets. With quality service and capacity building for sector players, we are sure to be on course to achieving international arrivals target of two million in 2025, with over US$5.2billion in revenue – surpassing sectors including mining, cocoa, oil and gas sector etc.”
Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal
Need For Tourism Data, Promoting The Sector For Economic Development
GTA’s Chief Executive Officer, Akwasi Agyeman, highlighted the importance of tourism data in policy formulation and measuring the returns on investment in marketing, promotions, and infrastructure that the authority has put in place through the Tourism Development Fund and support from the ministry.
According to Mr. Agyeman, the tourism sector remains an essential driver of Ghana’s economic growth and employment. As such, he noted that the GTA’s 50th-anniversary celebration, spanning from April to August 2023, will include various activities.
These activities, he said, will include the Kwahu Paragliding Festival; May Day celebrations across the country; staff bonding activities; a tourism summit chaired by the president; health screening, blood donation and launch of retiree association; a tour of key sites and attractions; Panafest and Emancipation Day in July; and an Industry Games event to climax the celebrations in August.
Ghana’s tourism sector is poised for growth, and the government’s efforts to promote the sector are commendable.
The tourism industry has the potential to drive economic growth and create much-needed jobs for young people.
However, achieving these ambitious targets will require continuous investment in infrastructure, marketing, and training to ensure that Ghana can compete with other destinations in the region.
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