Marking nine years of governance under Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh has scripted a remarkable transformation in the tourism sector, emerging as the country’s leading destination for domestic travellers while rapidly gaining global recognition as a spiritual tourism hub.
Driven by the successful rollout of the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Policy 2022 and the state’s distinctive ‘Temple and Festival Economy’ model, tourism in Uttar Pradesh has witnessed unprecedented growth—both in scale and impact.
The state recorded a sharp rise in tourist footfall from 23.75 crore in 2017 to 64.91 crore in 2024, making it India’s top destination for domestic tourism. The momentum surged further in 2025, powered by Mahakumbh 2025, with visitor numbers touching an extraordinary 156.18 crore.
A study by Indian Institute of Management Lucknow has also acknowledged the effectiveness of the Temple Economy model, particularly in transforming pilgrimage destinations into thriving economic ecosystems.
Key spiritual centres such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Mathura have undergone massive infrastructure upgrades, significantly enhancing visitor experience and global appeal. The development of corridors, improved connectivity, and strengthened law and order have further boosted confidence among travellers.
Under the Tourism Policy 2022, the state has encouraged investments across 22 tourism-related activities, including hospitality, eco-tourism, wellness, and adventure tourism. So far, investments worth over ₹36,000 crore have been realised, with more than 1,600 tourism units registered—generating over five lakh jobs.
Religious and heritage tourism have been further strengthened through the creation of multiple pilgrimage development councils and thematic circuits such as Ramayana, Krishna, Buddhist, Jain, and Sufi circuits. Improved access through upgraded religious routes has also enhanced pilgrimage travel across the state.
On the cultural front, landmark initiatives—from museums and heritage parks to projects like the ‘Dekho Prayagraj’ trail—are preserving Uttar Pradesh’s legacy while attracting new-age travellers.
Eco-tourism is another emerging pillar, with destinations like Dudhwa National Park and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary witnessing increased traction. The state has also identified over 200 villages for rural tourism development.
Flagship events such as Ayodhya’s Deepotsav, Varanasi’s Dev Deepawali, and Holi celebrations in Braj have evolved into global attractions. Notably, the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj alone drew over 66 crore visitors, setting new global benchmarks.
With faith, culture, and infrastructure working in tandem, Uttar Pradesh today commands nearly 22% of India’s domestic tourism share—outpacing traditional leaders like Rajasthan, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
As international footfall continues to rise across its iconic spiritual destinations, Uttar Pradesh is steadily cementing its position as a global epicentre for spiritual tourism.
