The Ghana Tourism Authority has recently disclosed the top 10 most visited tourist attraction sites of 2023, showcasing the growth and success of the tourism sector in the country.
According to the GTA’s annual report for 2023, these tourist sites collectively welcomed a total of 1,157,632 visitors throughout the year, out of a grand total of 1,407,709 visits to various tourist destinations across the country.
Leading the list is the renowned Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, which saw a significant influx of 208,577 visitors. Despite the park officially reopening in July 2023 after undergoing extensive renovations, it managed to secure the top spot in terms of visitor numbers.
Securing the second position is the newly renovated National Museum, surpassing the popular Kakum National Park. The museum attracted 166,884 visitors, representing 12% of the total visits to the top ten attractions.
In the third spot is the Kakum National Park in the Central Region, with a total of 159,271 visits. Similarly, the Kumasi Zoo, which held the third position in 2022, dropped to fourth place in 2023, recording 142,518 visits.
The historic Cape Coast Castle claimed the fifth position with 101,134 visitors in 2023, showing an increase from the previous year but still falling in the rankings.
One notable decline in visitor numbers was experienced by the Aburi Botanical Gardens, which topped the list in 2022 but saw a drastic drop to 93,719 visits in 2023, relegating it to the sixth position.
The Elmina Castle, previously ranked at number five, fell two spots down to secure the seventh spot with a total of 78,870 visits. The eco-tourism site Bunso Arboretum in the Eastern Region followed at number eight with 78,203 visits.
The Accra Zoo held the ninth position with 71,137 visits, while the Manhyia Palace Museum saw a resurgence, returning to the top ten list after four years with 57,319 visits in 2023.
The Ghana Tourism Authority attributes the increased visitor interest to the recent renovations and enhancements at various attraction sites, which have played a significant role in driving tourism success in the country.
Overall, the top ten tourist destinations collectively accounted for a substantial share of total arrivals, with domestic residents making up the majority of visitors. The GTA emphasizes the importance of these attractions in attracting both domestic and international tourists, contributing to the growth and development of the tourism sector in Ghana.
