March 26: The new success story being written by Uttar Pradesh in the tourism sector is not limited to record-breaking tourist numbers but has become a symbol of a broader cultural renaissance. In the state, faith and economy are complementing each other, giving a new direction to the growth of tourism.
In line with the vision of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the successful implementation of the Tourism Policy 2022, along with the development of eco-tourism, infrastructural improvements, better connectivity, strong law and order, and expansion of airports, expressways, and transport services, has played a crucial role in boosting tourism.
Additionally, the ‘Temple and Festival Economy’ model of the state government is shaping Uttar Pradesh into a global spiritual tourism hub. A recent study by IIM Lucknow on tourism in Ayodhya has also praised this model.
During the nine-year tenure, Uttar Pradesh has recorded remarkable progress in tourism. In 2017, the state received around 23.75 crore tourists, which rose to 54.06 crore in 2019. After a temporary decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, the state witnessed a rapid recovery due to the effective implementation of the Tourism Policy 2022.
In 2024, Uttar Pradesh recorded 64.91 crore tourists, becoming the top state in domestic tourist arrivals and ranking fourth in foreign tourist arrivals. In 2025, the Mahakumbh led to an unprecedented surge, with tourist numbers reaching 156.18 crore. Over the past nine years, tourist footfall has increased nearly sevenfold, with the state now accounting for 21.9% of India’s domestic tourism share.
The Tourism Policy 2022 has brought transformative changes by promoting 22 tourism-related activities, including hotels, homestays, eco-tourism, wellness, and adventure tourism. The policy has attracted investments worth ₹36,681 crore, registered over 1,684 tourism units, and generated more than 5 lakh employment opportunities.
To strengthen religious and cultural tourism, multiple pilgrimage development councils have been established, and more than 12 tourist circuits—including Ramayana, Krishna, Buddhist, Jain, Sufi, and Freedom Struggle circuits—have been developed. Additionally, 83 religious routes have been upgraded to improve accessibility.
Significant efforts have also been made to preserve cultural heritage through the development of museums, cultural institutions, and heritage tourism projects across the state. Eco-tourism has been promoted through the establishment of the UP Eco-Tourism Board and the development of facilities in key forest regions, along with the identification of 234 rural tourism villages.
The ‘Temple and Festival Economy’ model has played a pivotal role in boosting tourism. Major religious and cultural events such as Deepotsav in Ayodhya, Dev Deepawali in Varanasi, Holi celebrations in Mathura, and the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj have attracted millions of visitors.
This cultural resurgence, combined with infrastructure growth and policy-driven initiatives, is steadily positioning Uttar Pradesh as a global spiritual tourism hub. Over the past nine years, the state has surpassed several others to emerge as the leading destination for domestic tourism, with increasing international interest in its key spiritual centers.
