EXCITEMENT is building ahead of the latest edition of Accra by Night, as it marks its one-year anniversary with a memorable experience for patrons tomorrow, Friday, April 24.

The tour, an initiative of the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), in partnership with the Graphic Shoiwbiz, blends tourism with entertainment and is expected to attract a mix of domestic and foreign tourists who will  explore the capital after dark.’

In a chat with Graphic Showbiz on Tuesday, April 21, the Marketing and Tour Officer at the GTDC, Chantal Amewou-Attisso, said the upcoming tour was expected to be a major one, as it coincided with the initiative's first anniversary.

Ms Amewou-Attisso said expectations are high following the success of recent editions.

“Tomorrow, Accra by Night will be one year and we are looking at a big event. There will be a small get-together, a raffle with interesting gifts on the bus, and it will also create a space for people to meet, interact and build meaningful connections.

“Last Friday, April 17, we had one with more than 40 social media influencers in Ghana. And as they are posting and showcasing what they lived, the numbers are coming. So we believe  tomorrow will be a big event to serve Ghana, our motherland and have fun too”, she added.

According to Ms Amewou-Attisso, the concept transcends the usual sightseeing experience.

“The main idea behind Accra by Night is to offer that experiential opportunity of seeing Accra in the night to both Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians. It is not just another day-tour executed in the evening, it’s one that combines tourism with entertainment,” she said.

She explained that the initiative fitted perfectly into Ghana’s growing 24-hour economy, giving people with tight daytime schedules the chance to still enjoy the city.

“For  example, for someone who comes to Accra or Ghana and doesn't have the luxury of time to see the city during the day because of a business schedule, that person has the opportunity now to tour Accra in the evening.

“In the evening,  Accra is calmer, traffic is better, and most places are more serene. The same tourist attractions that we visit during the day, if you go there during the evening, you'll see a big difference,” she added.

Since its introduction, Accra by Night has seen increasing demand, leading to more frequent tours beyond its original schedule.

“The schedule calendar for Accra by Night last year was every last Friday of the month. But towards the end of last year, we ran it almost every Friday. For the month of April, for example, we have had three tours already,” she revealed.

She added that the initiative was also open to organisations looking for curated experiences.

“ We run Accra by Night for corporate institutions as well. So if you want to take your staff out, you want to take your visitors who probably come from outside Ghana to visit your company here, Accra by Night is the thing. You have to come on the bus,” she said.

Looking ahead, she said the GTDC was planning to extend the experience beyond the capital as part of efforts to promote tourism nationwide.