Historical & Contemporary Visitor Trends at Cape Coast and Elmina Castles
Back in 2007, Cape Coast and Elmina castles combined generated GH¢210,795.83 in revenue, up from GH¢146,641.68 in 2006. That year, they welcomed a total of 135,070 visitors, compared to 104,529 in 2006 and 76,019 in 2005. Elmina Castle received 65,018 visits in 2007 (up from 47,838 in 2006), while Cape Coast Castle hosted 70,052 visitors in 2007 versus 56,691 in 2006.
Elmina Castle Model (c) Photography by Remo Kurka
Jumping ahead to the modern era: under initiatives such as Ghana's “Year of Return” and “Beyond the Return,” the two castles have seen a resurgence in tourism. In 2019, they jointly welcomed 157,668 visitors, up from 139,592 in 2018. Visitor numbers reached 88,124 at Cape Coast Castle and 69,544 at Elmina Castle.
By 2023, these historic sites continued to attract significant attention. The Cape Coast Castle alone received 101,134 visitors, while Elmina Castle drew 78,870 visitors, placing them among the top 10 tourist destinations in Ghana.
In 2024, the upward trajectory persisted: Cape Coast Castle reported 120,242 visitors—a notable increase—and was characterized as experiencing its “highest ever recorded” annual attendance. Though specific 2024 data for Elmina Castle job was not cited directly, the Ghana Tourism Authority overall data shows continued robust interest in historic sites post‑pandemic.
Visitor Numbers Over Time
2005: Total combined visits ≈ 76,019
2006: Total ≈ 104,529 (Elmina: 47,838; Cape Coast: 56,691)
2007: Total ≈ 135,070 (Elmina: 65,018; Cape Coast: 70,052)
2016: Combined ≈ 111,297 (Cape Coast: 70,326; Elmina: 40,971)
2018: Combined ≈ 140,506 (Cape Coast: 74,988; Elmina: 65,518)
2019: Combined ≈ 157,668 (Cape Coast: 88,124; Elmina: 69,544)
2023: Cape Coast: 101,134; Elmina: 78,870
2024: Cape Coast: 120,242 (Elmina likely trending upward accordingly)
Revenue Context & Broader Impact
While specific revenue figures for recent years have not been disclosed publicly, we can infer increasing income in line with higher visitor numbers. In 2007, 135,070 visitors generated GH¢210,796, meaning roughly GH¢1.56 per visit on average. If that ratio held steady—or rose somewhat, given inflation and higher ticket prices—Cape Coast Castle alone, with its 120,242 visitors in 2024, might have generated upwards of GH¢180,000–GH¢200,000 in that year from visitor fees alone.
Moreover, additional services—such as guided tours, educational programs, event hosting (e.g. PANAFEST), and museum shop sales—likely contribute significantly to total revenue, especially given restored infrastructure and enhanced promotion.
Summary
From 2005 through 2007, Cape Coast and Elmina castles witnessed steady growth—from 76,000 annual visitors to over 135,000. That growth continued unevenly but gradually, reaching about 140,000 in 2018, surging to nearly 160,000 in 2019, and rebounding to over 180,000 combined visitors by 2023–2024. Visitor interest now exceeds pre‑COVID levels, aided by heritage campaigns and improvements in tourism infrastructure.
Ultimately, while early‑period revenue data remains the only precise figure, the current high patronage implies a stronger financial return than ever before—and reflects the enduring importance and appeal of these historic monuments to both Ghanaian and international visitors.