The government has been urged to invest adequately in domestic tourism by developing tourism products tailored to the local travel market, which is projected to be worth about US$837.3 million by 2033.
The Lead Organiser of the West Africa Holidays, Travel and Tourism Expo (WAHTTEX), Mr Daniel Asafra Tibu, said the investment was necessary as domestic tourism continued to gain popularity among international tourists.
He said the trend was being driven by sustainability concerns, climate change and responsible travel, with tourists increasingly finding satisfaction in staying at home, visiting attractions within their countries and travelling to nearby towns, cities and countries.
Mr Tibu made the call at the launch of WAHTTEX in Accra yesterday.
The three-day expo, scheduled for November 19–22, 2026, will be held on the theme: “Inspiring Domestic Tourism, Projecting Our Heritage.”
The event is expected to provide a platform for tourism enterprises and allied businesses to share information with the public on tours, hospitality, travel, events and other tourism packages.
It will also provide opportunities for the global investor community and tourism enterprises to engage in business-to-business (B2B) networking, expert and professional presentations, masterclasses, and the promotion of tourism products and services.
Mr Tibu said the domestic “staycation” market was expanding rapidly as more people chose to explore attractions within their own countries and nearby destinations.
“Currently, the domestic (Staycation) market is growing thick and fast. This means people are finding satisfaction staying at home, visiting in-country attractions and those in nearby towns, cities, and countries,” he said.
“This type of tourism is becoming popular among foreign tourists because of sustainability issues that hinges on climate change challenges and responsible travel,” he added.
He explained that domestic tourism had become particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic, when international tourism declined and travellers increasingly spent their holidays at home or explored nearby attractions.
Mr Tibu said WAHTTEX would provide a platform for tourism enterprises, particularly those in Ghana and the West African sub-region, to begin discussions on developing tourism products suitable for local travel markets.
“This act of developing new tourist products will inspire Ghanaians to begin to explore the rich cultural heritage made up of traditional festivals, food, textiles, music and natural heritages which are seen in the diverse landscapes the country is endowed with,” he noted.
Mr Tibu called on all 16 Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) to participate in the exhibition and showcase the cultural and natural heritage of their respective regions to promote local economic development.
He said the participation of tourism enterprises from ECOWAS member states would also enable the organisers to bring businesses in the sub-region together to explore opportunities and do business under one roof.
The launch was attended by various dignitaries, including the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Ms Abla Dzifa Gomashie.
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