The Ghana  Tourism Federation (GHATOF) is urging the  government to review Ghana’s $260 e-visa fee, warning that the cost could discourage international visitors and undermine efforts to grow the country’s  tourism industry.

Speaking to Citi News, President of the Federation, Seth Ocran, described the e-visa system as a positive reform but argued that its current pricing and single-entry limitation put Ghana at a disadvantage compared to neighbouring countries.

“The concept is great. It removes the burden of travelling to high commissions and embassies for visas. However, we think the cost is too high,” he said.

Mr Ocran said a family of four would pay more than $1,000 in visa fees alone, while several competing destinations in the sub-region charge between $50 and $60.

He believes a review of the fee, coupled with the introduction of more accessible multiple-entry visas, could help increase tourist arrivals from about 1.2–1.3 million to 2 million.

Beyond visa reforms, the Federation is also calling for Ghana to embrace digitalisation and artificial intelligence to expand the country’s global tourism reach.

In line with this year’s World Tourism Day theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” Mr Ocran proposed the development of virtual tourism experiences that would allow people around the world to explore Ghana’s culture and heritage remotely.

“It’s not everyone that can go to a particular tourist site. How do we use digitalisation in sending tourism home to those who cannot make it here?” he asked.

He said such virtual experiences could particularly benefit members of the African diaspora seeking to reconnect with their heritage, while also showcasing Ghana’s cultural, culinary and investment opportunities to a global audience.

Mr Ocran also welcomed the collaboration between the World Tourism Day celebrations and the Eastern Expo, describing it as an example of how tourism can drive investment and commerce rather than serving only as a sightseeing activity.

He noted that tourism supports hundreds of thousands of jobs directly and indirectly and urged policymakers to work more closely with industry players to unlock the sector’s full economic potential.

“Tourism is a tool that, if all of us collaborate and deepen the conversation, will drive investment and commerce,” he said.