The first Domestic Visitors’ Survey highlights the immense scale and economic significance of travel by Ghanaians within the country, confirming it as a major driver of activity for local transport, hospitality, and community-based businesses.

Unveiling the findings on Monday, Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu underscored the vital role of domestic movement. 

“This momentum has brought a powerful reminder that tourism is not only about international arrivals. It is also about Ghanaians discovering Ghana, investing in local experiences, and breathing economic life into the communities and sites they visit,” he said.

The data reveals that overnight travel was the largest economic contributor, accounting for approximately GH?4.8 billion or 73 per cent of total domestic tourism spending. Same-day visits, by comparison, contributed about GHS 1.8 billion, representing 27 per cent. The vast majority of expenditure in both categories occurred during the trip itself.

Dr. Iddrisu emphasised the analytical value of the new survey for national planning. “The findings give us the clarity to identify the regions that attract the most movement, the types of activities that drive domestic trips, the socio-economic profile of travellers, and the value of the spending that circulates within our borders,” he stated.

The survey profiles the typical domestic traveller as a working-age adult, with persons aged 25 to 44 years accounting for 41.1 per cent of same-day trips and 35.2 per cent of overnight travel. This pattern underscores the mobility of the economically active population.

Social and cultural motives overwhelmingly fuel this travel. More than 80 per cent of domestic overnight trips and about 70 per cent of same-day trips were undertaken to visit friends and relatives or attend funerals. This reinforces the central role of family networks and social events in shaping domestic mobility.

In terms of logistics, the survey indicates a highly independent travel sector, with over 95 per cent of domestic trips being self-arranged. Road transport dominates, with buses and minivans being the primary modes of travel.

The GSS stated that the survey provides nationally representative evidence crucial for tourism planning, investment prioritisation, and the development of Ghana’s Tourism Satellite Account.