Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday inaugurated the Taj Palace hotel in Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar, describing the new hospitality landmark as a reflection of the state’s growing tourism potential and changing economic landscape.
After cutting the ribbon and lighting the ceremonial lamp, the Chief Minister inspected the hotel before addressing the gathering. Congratulating the management, he offered a new mantra to investors and entrepreneurs: “Think Big, Think Like UP.” He said the state’s expanding tourism footprint was creating a growing demand for high-quality hotels and hospitality infrastructure in destinations such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj and Mathura-Vrindavan.
Yogi said Uttar Pradesh represents the “soul of India” because of its immense religious, cultural and historical heritage. He highlighted Ayodhya, Mathura-Vrindavan, Varanasi and Prayagraj, along with Buddhist and Jain heritage sites, and the Ganga, Yamuna and Saryu rivers as key elements of the state’s identity.
According to the Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh has undergone a major transformation over the past nine years. He said that while the state ranked third nationally in tourism in 2017, around 156 crore tourists visited Uttar Pradesh in 2025, with major pilgrimage centres emerging as powerful attractions.
He said the government had sought to combine heritage with modern infrastructure to establish Uttar Pradesh as one of India’s leading tourism destinations. The Chief Minister also linked the growth of the hospitality sector with improved connectivity, security and investment opportunities.
The Taj Palace is the third city in India where both a Taj Mahal hotel and a Taj Palace are present, after Mumbai and Delhi. Yogi said the development was particularly significant for Lucknow, a city known for its heritage, culture, architecture and cuisine and recognised by UNESCO as a Creative City of Gastronomy.
The hotel has 181 rooms and suites, including a presidential suite, along with a 10,000-square-foot pillarless banquet hall designed to host conferences, weddings, seminars and large public events.
Yogi also said that a Japanese delegation visiting Uttar Pradesh for investment discussions would be among the first guests at the hotel. Referring to the ongoing UP-Japan Investment Meet, he said more than 200 Japanese investors, industry leaders and CEOs had shown interest in sectors including green hydrogen, advanced technology, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, robotics and automobiles.
Emphasising the wider economic impact of hospitality projects, the Chief Minister said the Taj Palace would directly employ around 600 people, while hundreds more would benefit indirectly through its supply chain and associated services.
He pointed to Uttar Pradesh’s expanding infrastructure, including 17 domestic and five international airports, extensive expressway connectivity, metro networks and inland waterways. He also highlighted the One District One Product initiative, saying it had helped strengthen local enterprises and contributed significantly to the state’s exports.
The Chief Minister said Uttar Pradesh aims to become a $1-trillion economy by 2029-30, adding that long-term investments in hospitality would be essential for a developed Uttar Pradesh within a developed India.
He urged the Taj Group to give greater prominence to local cuisine, including Awadhi specialities, eastern Uttar Pradesh’s bati-chokha and sattu, as well as millet-based food. He said global hospitality standards should be complemented by the distinctive culinary traditions of the region.
“Do not live only in the present; think about the future,” Yogi said, stressing the need to connect the skills of young people with emerging opportunities. He said Uttar Pradesh had moved from the bottom three to the top three in several areas and was positioning itself as an engine of India’s economic growth.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, Cooperation Minister JPS Rathore, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Seth, former Maharashtra minister Kripashankar Singh and Taj Palace Lucknow Managing Director Anil Singh were among those present. IHCL Managing Director Puneet Chhatwal welcomed the guests.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
