Tourism sector performing better than pre-pandemic level - CEO

CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Akwasi Agyeman, has announced that the nation's tourism industry is experiencing a bounce back from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As reported by 3news.com on July 5, 2024, he revealed that key performance indicators have not only rebounded but also exceeded figures from before the pandemic.

Akwasi Agyeman expressed optimism about the sector's trajectory, citing consistent growth over recent years despite ongoing challenges.

“Generally, I would say that we have recovered strongly from COVID. Last year, our report we put out said strong recovery…all the various indicators show that we have managed to recover and, in some cases, beat pre-pandemic levels.

“If you compare 2019 to 2023, you will clearly see that we have done a good job with that. The sector for me is one that has potential. If you ask me, I will say the glass is half full rather than half empty because every year we see growth, sometimes in excess of 55%,” he stated.

The pandemic had severely impacted Ghana's economy, particularly the tourism sector, with a drastic revenue drop to $387 million in 2020.

However, the 2023 report showed promising signs of revival, with revenues climbing to $2.1 billion in 2021 and further improvements in 2022, with average tourist expenditure reaching $2,743 and sector receipts hitting $2.7 billion.

Looking ahead, the 2023 report forecasts an average tourist expenditure of $3,746.65 for 2023, which could elevate sector revenue to an impressive $3.8 billion, marking a 51.9% increase from the previous year.

ID/NOQ