Ghana has launched a new digital system designed to manage tourism registration, licensing, inspection, levy payments, and public verification of tourism facilities under one platform, the Ghana Tourism Information System (GTIS).
The launch, held at the Accra City Hotel on 19 May 2026, brought together industry stakeholders as the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) introduced the platform to replace fragmented administrative processes with a single online system for operators and regulators.
The system also allows members of the public to verify licensed tourism facilities through a mobile and web-based search tool, aimed at improving trust and reducing fraudulent operators in the sector.
During the engagement, officials referenced key regulatory instruments that guide tourism operations in Ghana, including:
- LI 2393 (2019), Tourism Site Regulation
- LI 2239 (2016), Accommodation Enterprises Regulation
- LI 2389 (2019), Travel Trade Licensing Regulation
The Authority stated that these regulations remain central to licensing, compliance, and operational oversight within the sector.
Deputy CEO in charge of operations, Mr. Ekow Sampson, said the system responds to long standing operational and administrative gaps in the sector.
He noted that tourism enterprises have increased steadily over the years, with accommodation establishments rising from 540 in 1995 to 5,424 in 2025. Travel trade businesses grew from 173 to 804 within the same period, while licensed restaurants increased from 105 to 785.
He explained that this growth required a more structured system to manage regulation and compliance.
Mr. Sampson said: “The GTIS is a comprehensive digital platform designed to respond to this need. It brings together registration, inspection, licensing and regulation, an integrated system for levy payments and auditing, and structured collection of guest and customer records to strengthen tourism data.”
He added that the platform allows operators to make levy payments directly from their business locations, reducing delays linked to manual processes.
He also highlighted a verification function that allows regulators, partners, and the public to confirm licensed operators in real time through a mobile application.
According to him, the next phase will introduce electronic licensing, allowing applications, renewals, and verification to be completed digitally without physical visits to GTA offices.
He stated: “This initiative is not about technology alone. It is about improving efficiency, transparency, and enabling data driven decision-making. It is about creating a system that benefits both regulators and operators while strengthening trust in the sector.”
Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Marilyn Maame Efua Houadjeto, said the introduction of GTIS aligns with broader public sector reforms and the need for improved service delivery systems.
She explained that earlier challenges in the sector included manual licensing processes, delays in renewals, and fragmented verification systems that affected operators across the country.
She said: “When I assumed office, it became clear that if tourism is to become a major pillar of national development, then the foundation must be fixed. That foundation begins with systems.”
She added that the new platform enables operators to apply, renew, manage records, file returns, and make payments digitally.
The CEO also emphasized that GTIS includes a licensed facility verification tool to help the public confirm the authenticity of tourism businesses before using their services.
She said: “We experienced a lot of fraud and fake operators in the system. This will go a long way to address that challenge and protect customers while improving trust in the sector.”
She further noted that tourism should be understood not only as leisure activity but also as a sector linked to employment, investment, culture, and national identity.
The CEO announced that a customer service register module will be introduced in the next phase of the platform. This feature will allow tourism operators to capture service and customer data to support real time analysis of sector activity.
She explained that the data collected will support policy development, investment planning, and sector growth monitoring.
The system integrates three core functions: the registration, inspection, licensing, and regulation of tourism facilities; online levy payment, auditing, and tracking; and guest log and customer data collection for sector monitoring. In addition, it supports public verification of licensed tourism facilities, digital licensing and renewal processes, payment processing for levies and audits, claim facility verification using OTP authentication, as well as revenue reporting and automated levy calculations.
Through the platform, businesses can register and manage tourism operations online, submit and track licensing applications, pay levies and audit charges digitally, access approval and renewal notifications, print active licenses directly from the portal, and respond to audit reports and compliance requests.
Field officers can also upload inspection and audit results directly into the system, with payments processed through the same platform.
Members of the public can search licensed tourism facilities by name on the GTA portal. The system displays registered operators and verification details to confirm authenticity before engagement.
The launch marks a shift in how tourism administration is managed in Ghana, moving core processes into a centralized digital system intended for operators, regulators, and the public.
