Tourism is one of the world’s most dynamic industries. It fuels investment, drives innovation, and connects people across borders. In Ghana, tourism has long been recognised as a pillar of national development, contributing to jobs, trade, and cultural exchange since the 1970s. Yet, for decades, the country lacked detailed data to measure its full economic impact, especially on outbound travel.

The Domestic and Outbound Tourism Survey (DOTS), conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) in 2023, fills that gap. It provides the first nationally representative picture of how Ghanaians travel abroad, who they are, where they go, why they travel, and how much they spend. This Outbound Overnight Visitors’ Report focuses on residents who travelled outside Ghana for tourism purposes and spent at least one night abroad between January and December 2023.

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