Outbound Same-Day Travel Emerges as Key Cross-Border Economic Link for Ghanaian Households
New data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has revealed the scale and economic significance of outbound same-day travel among Ghanaians, showing how thousands cross the country’s borders daily for trade, business and social engagements before returning within 24 hours.
The findings are contained in the 2023 Domestic and Outbound Tourism Survey (DOTS), which for the first time documents the profile, travel patterns and spending behaviour of outbound same-day visitors. These are Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians who travelled out of the country and returned the same day.
The survey covered 18,500 households across 740 enumeration areas, using a two-stage stratified sampling approach to ensure both national and regional representation. Data was collected quarterly using Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews.
A total of 77,501 outbound same-day visitors were recorded in 2023. Men accounted for 72 percent of these trips, with the most active travellers falling within the 25–44 age bracket. The Ashanti Region consistently emerged as the top region of origin.
Togo was the most common destination, accounting for 74 percent of same-day trips, followed by Côte d’Ivoire with 17 percent. The majority of travellers arranged their own trips, often using buses, minibuses and motorbikes.
Business and professional engagements were the main reasons for travel, representing 34 percent of trips. Funerals and social visits followed with 23 percent. Total expenditure by outbound same-day visitors was estimated at GHS 59.8 million for the year, with the first quarter recording the highest spending at GHS 20.6 million. Those travelling to Togo accounted for the largest share of total spending, driven by business and shopping activities.
The data shows that same-day outbound travel serves as an economic lifeline, supporting cross-border trade and livelihoods. However, it also points to the loss of local economic value, as spending that could support Ghana’s own retail and tourism economy instead flows to neighbouring countries.
The report provides a strong evidence base to guide tourism and trade policy. It supports the implementation of the National Tourism Development Plan (2013–2027), ongoing work on Ghana’s Tourism Satellite Account and government’s 24-Hour Economy agenda, which seeks to boost productivity and local enterprise.
The DOTS survey aims to provide baseline data to measure the volume and value of domestic and outbound tourism, determine traveller profiles and estimate tourism-related expenditure.
