Public transport mode preferences of international tourists in Ghana: Implications for transport planning

Generally, most studies on tourism in Ghana have laid emphasis on motivations and experiences of tourists, their preference for accommodation and restaurant facilities, and the quality of services rendered at these facilities ignoring a significant component of tourism, which is transportation. This paper examines public transport mode preferences of international tourists in Ghana. Primary data were collected from 479 out-bound international tourists at the departure hall of the Kotoka International Airport in Ghana between June and August 2015. The analyses of the study were done using frequencies, charts, chi-square statistic and multinomial logistic regression model. The study found that generic dimensions of transport services such as their affordability, accessibility, availability, safety and comfort influence public transport mode choice of international tourists in Ghana. Aside these factors, there were strong relationships between socio-demographic characteristics of tourists and their mode preference. It is therefore recommended that emphasis should be given to accessibility-based transport planning in order to help public transport provide quality services to meet the transport needs of international tourists.