Ghana appears to be driving the boom in leisure tourism across Africa

While a boom in economic growth and an increase in political stability is improving tourism across Africa, a new report from hospitality consultancy HTI Consulting has revealed that Ghana appears to be playing a particularly central role in the overall increase of leisure tourism on the continent.

Ghana is among the largest economies in West Africa, and has been among the countries to achieve the highest degree of political stability in recent times, alongside Botswana and Morocco. The country has a budding economy, and is looking to attract investment for its rapidly expanding small and medium enterprises sector.

In recent times, however, Ghana has come to prominence for growth in its tourism sector. Last year, a report from hospitality consultancy HTI Consulting revealed that Accra was alongside Lagos in being the cities with the highest occupancy rates across Africa.

Latest research from HTI has reinforced this claim, placing Ghana amongst the top destinations in Africa for leisure tourism. Alongside the relative political stability, the firm cites a number of reasons for this growth in the country’s popularity as a tourism destination.

Ghana possesses considerable natural beauty, including an expansive coastline, which remains relatively underexplored due to a lack of tourism in the country previously. Investment in infrastructure such as airports and other forms of transport has also contributed to the country’s growing popularity.

According to Wayne Troughton, CEO of HTI Consulting, this spike is due to renewed impetus in the government to boost tourism in the country. “The difference now, however, is that, with a number of promotional initiatives underway, the country's new administration is making a dedicated push to transform Ghana into a leisure tourism destination,” he said.

Commenting on the future of the sector, Troughton said, “The ability to attract more private capital and ensure sustained spending on infrastructure remains a priority. Addressing prices constitutes another priority, allowing Ghana to become a more affordable destination compared to its African peers.”