Ghana’s tourism landscape has expanded significantly over the past three decades, shaped by major initiatives such as the Year of Return, Beyond the Return, and growing diasporan engagement. These developments raise important questions about how tourism contributes to economic growth, employment, and cultural exchange, and how its benefits and burdens are experienced by citizens. Tourists often approach Ghana as a temporary playground, overlooking the reality that they are visitors in someone’s home. Understanding the true impact of tourism therefore requires examining both measurable outcomes and lived experiences. By exploring trends in arrivals, expenditures, site activity, and governance, the framing invites a deeper reflection on how Ghana can foster responsible, sustainable, and locally beneficial tourism.