By Ghana News

Copyright ghanamma

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has outlined some bold policy recommendations designed to transform same-day tourism into a stronger contributor to Ghana’s GDP, regional growth, and job creation.

The proposals, which target government, the private sector, and development partners, call for a “Visit Ghana in a Day” campaign to promote the country as an attractive and accessible destination for short-haul travellers from neighbouring countries.

These were contained in the GSS’ Inbound Same-Day Visitors’ Report 2023, which noted that there was a steady rise in spending by transit visitors, those passing through the country, jumping from GHS 443,000 in Q4 2022 to GHS 5.7 million in Q3 2023.

The recommendations urged the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts (MoTCCA), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) to design cultural tourism packages featuring one-day experiences.

These would spotlight festivals, ecotourism attractions, and heritage landmarks such as Cape Coast Castle, the Bisa Abrewa Museum, and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.

Infrastructure upgrades were also highlighted as key to improving visitor experiences.

It also recommended that enhancements at border posts and seaports, including better rest stops, signage, Wi-Fi access, tourism desks, and sanitation services, would ease travel fatigue and make short-term stays more enjoyable.

The private sector has also been encouraged to partner with tour operators to design customised one-day itineraries that combine cultural attractions, shopping, and food experiences tailored to different groups of visitors, whether in transit, business, or leisure.

Additionally, private players are urged to introduce loyalty programs, concierge services, and conference tourism incentives in collaboration with the GTA and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) to attract and retain high-value travellers.

The proposals also recommend that development partners and civil society organisations (CSOs) provide technical and financial support to local authorities and community actors in packaging eco-tourism and cultural day trips.

“This would not only promote environmental sustainability but also deepen community-based tourism,” it noted.

The GSS noted that implementing these strategies could help Ghana capture more value from short-term visitors, boosting both the economy and the country’s reputation as a welcoming cultural hub in West Africa.

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