Explore Ghana’s Rich Culture with New Digital Initiatives and Nighttime Tours

Published on December 12, 2025

Ghana’s tourism industry is seeing early signs of growth, thanks to a combination of cutting-edge digital platforms and new, immersive experiences aimed at attracting both domestic and international visitors. The Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC) has implemented a series of innovative initiatives this year, setting the stage for the country to become a leading destination for global travelers. As part of a broader strategy to position Ghana as a top-tier tourism hub, GTDC is focusing on investment mobilization, tourism diversification, and digital marketing tools that promise to reshape the sector by 2026.

At a recent briefing in Accra, GTDC’s CEO Prof. Kobby Mensah outlined the company’s progress and detailed its ambitious agenda for the coming years. According to Prof. Mensah, one of the key goals for 2025 is to create credible, evidence-based systems to demonstrate the country’s tourism assets and opportunities. Through the use of geographical coordinates, immersive videos, and testimonials from local authorities, GTDC aims to give potential investors and visitors tangible proof of what Ghana has to offer. This data-driven approach lays the groundwork for GTDC’s upcoming investment budget presentation, which will focus on attracting more tourism investments starting in early 2026.

Digital Platforms to Drive Global Interest

Central to GTDC’s new strategy is the introduction of digital platforms designed to make Ghana’s tourism sector more accessible to the global market. One of the standout innovations is the Ghana Tourism Marketplace (GTM), an online travel agency and hub that shares user-generated travel experiences. Launched just a month ago, the platform has already demonstrated its impact, enabling travelers from countries like Portugal, France, and Germany to book events and explore Ghana’s tourist attractions. This early international success highlights the potential of the GTM to revolutionize how Ghana’s tourism products are marketed and sold.

The platform allows travelers to seamlessly browse and reserve experiences across Ghana, from cultural tours to heritage site visits. As the platform gains more traction, it will help boost international arrivals and make it easier for tourists to plan their trips to Ghana. The GTM has already proven to be an effective tool for marketing Ghana’s diverse offerings, including its eco-resorts, beaches, museums, and vibrant cities such as Accra and Kumasi.

In addition to the GTM, the Ghana Tourism Investment Platform (GTIP) offers investors a curated portfolio of high-potential projects in the country. From eco-tourism resorts to cultural attractions and heritage sites, GTIP showcases projects that are ready for investment, offering opportunities for cross-border partnerships and capital flows. This platform is expected to drive investment into the sector, with 10 initiatives already listed, providing a clear path for investors looking to contribute to the country’s growing tourism market.

Accra By Night: A Thriving Nightlife Experience

One of the most exciting and successful new initiatives is Accra By Night, an immersive nighttime tour launched by GTDC in April. This monthly event takes visitors on a guided tour through Accra’s bustling streets, highlighting the city’s vibrant culture and nightlife. The tour has quickly gained popularity, with demand growing so rapidly that GTDC expanded from one monthly tour to offering 10 separate trips in December 2023. This surge in interest highlights the potential for unique, locally-focused experiences to attract both domestic and international travelers.

The success of Accra By Night has led to plans for expansion, with similar nighttime experiences in other cities such as Cape Coast, Kumasi, and Takoradi currently under development. These tours not only showcase Ghana’s rich cultural heritage but also stimulate regional economic activity, providing new opportunities for job creation and local businesses.

To support this expansion, GTDC is seeking strategic partnerships with private sector companies to procure double-decker buses and ensure the sustainability of the program. Deputy CEO of Operations, Felicity Nelson, emphasized the company’s prudent approach, focusing on a partnership model where private companies provide buses while GTDC pays in installments, ensuring that public resources are protected.

A Growing Tourism Economy

While financial returns from these initiatives are still in the early stages, they have laid a solid foundation for future growth. The digital platforms and successful experiential products like Accra By Night are attracting a broad range of visitors, from solo travelers and families to corporate clients. GTDC’s transparent and evidence-based marketing approach is setting the stage for even greater success in the coming years, especially as the company ramps up its international outreach.

Looking ahead, Ghana’s tourism sector is set to see even more development with an emphasis on diversifying offerings and attracting investments. The projected growth in tourist numbers and investments will not only boost Ghana’s economy but also help create a thriving tourism ecosystem that benefits the hospitality, transport, and retail sectors.

A Model for African Tourism Development

For African tourism professionals, Ghana’s approach offers valuable insights into how digital innovation and locally-rooted experiences can be leveraged to attract both visitors and investment. The integration of technology, such as the Ghana Tourism Marketplace and GTIP, is helping to build a modern, data-driven tourism infrastructure that can support the growth of the sector.

The success of the Accra By Night initiative further demonstrates the untapped potential of reimagining existing tourism assets in urban areas. This initiative has proven that even established destinations can be revitalized through creative and immersive experiences, which in turn stimulate local economies and enhance the visitor experience.

As Ghana prepares for the next phase of its tourism development, the country’s focus on digital platforms, evidence-based marketing, and immersive urban experiences is setting a new benchmark for tourism development across Africa. The GTDC’s strategic initiatives are positioning Ghana as a rising leader in African tourism, and its approach offers a model for other destinations looking to enhance their appeal in a competitive global market.