- A new identity for UP tourism under Yogi government, emerging as a global spiritual tourism hub
- Development of pilgrimage sites and grand religious events make UP a leader in tourism
Lucknow: Over the past nine years under the leadership of Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh’s tourism sector has transitioned from a “graveyard economy” to a “temple economy.”
Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh, while addressing a press conference at Lok Bhavan, highlighted the achievements of Yogi government, stating that this transformation reflects not just a change in mindset but also a shift in governance priorities.
He said, “Before 2017, a significant portion of the state budget was spent on building boundary walls for graveyards, whereas under the current government, the focus has shifted to developing pilgrimage sites, religious corridors, cultural routes, and tourism infrastructure.” This change has linked the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage with tourism development in Uttar Pradesh.
The minister said that in line with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision, the convergence of faith, culture, and tourism has become a strong foundation for economic growth in the state over the past nine years. Pilgrimage Development Councils have been established to enhance facilities for devotees visiting religious sites.
Major destinations such as Ayodhya, Kashi (Varanasi), Prayagraj, Mathura, along with Mirzapur, Chitrakoot, Naimisharanya, and Maa Shakumbhari Devi Shaktipeeth in Saharanpur, have emerged as key tourism hubs.
Notably, after the construction of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor, the number of devotees has increased by four to five times. Meanwhile, Ayodhya’s Ram Temple is expected to attract around 30 crore devotees in 2025.
Cultural events in Uttar Pradesh have also gained global recognition. The Deepotsav in Ayodhya set a world record in 2025 by lighting over 26 lakh lamps. Dev Deepawali in Varanasi has been granted the status of a state fair. Events such as Deepotsav (started in 2017), Magh Mela, Kumbh and Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, and Rangotsav in Braj have significantly accelerated tourism growth.
The Mahakumbh 2025 is considered a historic milestone, witnessing a record footfall of 66 crore visitors. These cultural traditions and festivals have become major sources of economic activity, benefiting local trade, hotels, transport, prasad sellers, florists, handicrafts and small enterprises.
To expand tourism systematically, the Tourism Policy 2022 was implemented under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. As a result, investments worth over ₹36,681 crore have materialized, with the potential to generate around 5 lakh jobs. A total of 1,757 tourism units have been registered.
To engage youth in the tourism sector, provisions have been made for a monthly stipend of ₹40,000 for research, promotion, and monitoring activities.
The minister stated that tourism police have been deployed in major cities such as Agra, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Mathura, Jhansi, and Lucknow. Additionally, 850 trained guides have been appointed to enhance visitor experience.
To promote rural tourism, 234 villages have been selected, with a target of developing 50,000 homestay rooms by 2026-27. Eco-tourism is also being developed in 16 wildlife areas. Furthermore, financial assistance of ₹1 lakh is provided for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and ₹20,000 for Sindhu Darshan pilgrims.
The minister said, “One tourist supports the livelihood of at least six people.” Due to the focus on religious and cultural tourism, Uttar Pradesh has now secured the top position in domestic tourist arrivals in India.
In 2025, the state recorded over 156 crore tourist visits, including around 36 lakh foreign tourists. Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Prayagraj alone accounted for nearly 116 crore visitors, representing about 90% of total tourism in the state.
Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh concluded that in nine years, Yogi government has demonstrated how cultural heritage and faith can be transformed into economic strength. Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a global hub for spiritual tourism, presenting a new development model that harmonizes pilgrimage, tourism, and tradition.
