Are We Welcome? Understanding Tourists' Acceptance in Ghana
by
Juliet O. Yeboah
In the context of tourism, acceptance is the cornerstone upon which tourists and hosts interact. It
signals reception and intent between tourists and hosts and therefore lays the foundation for
successful interaction or otherwise. This study examined international tourists’ feelings of
acceptance during their interactions with host communities in Ghana. Anchored on the
Interpersonal Acceptance-Rejection (IPAR) Theory, the study adopted a sequential explanatory
mixed method approach, applying both survey questionnaires and interview guides to collect
primary data from 521 respondents and 15 key informants. The quantitative data was used to
unearth the dominant forms of acceptance and then based on that finding, a qualitative instrument
was designed for the explanatory component. Findings revealed that international tourists to Ghana
generally felt accepted by their hosts. This acceptance was found to be shaped by cultural distance,
difference in values and race. It is recommended that organizations such as the Ghana Tourism
Authority and other tourism agencies provide more information on the Ghanaian culture with a
focus on cultural identity and ethnic practices of Ghanaians. This will help educate international
tourists of possible outcomes of host-guest interaction to reduce negative feelings of acceptance.
