The South African Tourism Ministerial Outreach Program, hosted by the South African High Commission in Ghana on 27 March 2025 at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, marked a pivotal moment in advancing tourism collaboration between Ghana and South Africa.
The gathering brought together tour operators, government officials, and industry leaders from both nations at Breakfast Meeting to deliberate on strategies for unlocking the full potential of their tourism sectors under the theme “Building Partnerships to Unlock Tourism Growth Between South Africa & Ghana.”
The discussions focused on identifying opportunities for bilateral cooperation, addressing existing challenges, and formulating strategic interventions that would drive mutual prosperity in the tourism landscape. The event underscored the importance of enhancing connectivity, simplifying travel processes, and fostering deeper engagement between the two nations.
Dr. Geoffrey, Director of Policy Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation at Ghana’s Ministry of Tourism, represented the Minister of Tourism and provided compelling insights into the growing appeal of South Africa as a destination for Ghanaian travelers. He highlighted a remarkable 140% increase in Ghanaians visiting South Africa, a statistic that underscores the strengthening travel ties between the two countries.
However, he noted the necessity of reciprocating this trend by making Ghana equally attractive to South African tourists. To achieve this, he outlined three key initiatives: a joint tourism campaign to promote both destinations, streamlining visa processes to ease travel between the two countries, and improving flight connectivity to enhance accessibility. These measures, he emphasized, are crucial to unlocking new avenues for economic growth and cultural exchange.
Mrs. Alisa Osei-Asamoah, President of the Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA), reinforced Dr. Geoffrey’s vision by emphasizing the need for sustained bilateral cooperation. She acknowledged Ghana as a strong source market for South African tourism, with increasing numbers of Ghanaians traveling to South Africa annually.
“Ghana offers a wealth of attractions—forts and castles, pristine beaches, museums, and a rich cultural heritage—that should be actively marketed to South African travelers,” she stated. She urged South African tour operators to increase promotional efforts for Ghana and called for improved air connectivity to support rising tourist demand. Mrs. Osei-Asamoah also highlighted TOUGHA’s ongoing participation in South African roadshows, which have been instrumental in strengthening business relationships and marketing Ghana’s tourism potential on an international scale.
In her address, Hon. Patricia De Lille, South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, provided critical insights into South Africa’s tourism performance and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening tourism ties with Ghana. She cited data from the Visa Waiver Agreement introduced in 2022, which revealed that 36,000 Ghanaians had traveled to South Africa under the initiative, contributing significantly to the country’s tourism figures. Additionally, South Africa recorded 8.92 million visitors from across the African continent last year, solidifying its position as a leading regional hub.
Despite these achievements, Hon. De Lille acknowledged an imbalance in tourist flows, with Ghana ranking third among South Africa’s African source markets for international travelers, while the number of South African tourists visiting Ghana remained comparatively low. “We are committed to working closely with our Ghanaian counterparts to reverse this trend,” she affirmed.
To support this agenda, she announced plans to help facilitate seamless travel and stimulate tourism growth for both countries, including the possibility of South African Airways increasing its flights schedules to Ghana.
The Ministerial Outreach Program concluded with concrete takeaways that will shape the next phase of Ghana-South Africa tourism relations: Joint Tourism Campaigns, Visa Process, Enhanced Air Connectivity and Cultural Exchange and Promotion.
The South African Tourism Ministerial Outreach Program underscored the shared commitment of Ghana and South Africa to deepening their tourism partnership. By implementing the strategic interventions outlined during the event, both nations stand to benefit from increased visitor flows, enhanced economic contributions, and a thriving tourism sector.
