Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh’s tourism sector has undergone a major transformation over the past nine years, emerging as a key driver of the state’s economy, Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said. Addressing a press conference, he claimed that the state has transitioned from a “graveyard economy” to a “temple economy,” with faith-based tourism now forming a strong economic backbone.
Highlighting the vision of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the minister said that focused investment in religious sites, cultural heritage, and tourism infrastructure has significantly boosted visitor numbers and local livelihoods.
Major Pilgrimage Hubs Driving Growth
Key religious destinations such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Prayagraj have witnessed record footfall in recent years. The development of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham corridor has reportedly increased the number of devotees by four to five times. Meanwhile, the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is estimated to attract nearly 300 million visitors in 2025 alone.
Other prominent spiritual circuits, including Mathura, Chitrakoot, Mirzapur, Naimisharanya, and Shakumbhari Devi shrine in Saharanpur, are also contributing to the state’s growing tourism appeal.
Cultural Events Boost Religious Tourism
The government’s emphasis on grand cultural events has further strengthened Uttar Pradesh’s tourism profile. Festivals such as Deepotsav in Ayodhya, which set a world record by lighting over 2.6 million lamps in 2025, and Dev Deepawali in Varanasi have gained global recognition.
Large-scale gatherings like the Magh Mela and Kumbh events in Prayagraj, including the upcoming Mahakumbh 2025, have also contributed significantly to the influx of pilgrims and tourists, generating widespread economic activity.
Policy Push and Employment Generation
Under the state’s Tourism Policy 2022, over ₹36,000 crore worth of investments have materialized, with the potential to generate around 500,000 jobs. More than 1,700 tourism units have been registered so far, indicating rapid sectoral growth.
The government has also introduced initiatives to engage youth in tourism-related activities, including research, promotion, and monitoring, with stipends offered to participants.
Improved Infrastructure and Tourist Safety
To enhance visitor experience, tourism police have been deployed in major cities such as Agra, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Mathura, Jhansi, and Lucknow. Additionally, around 850 trained guides have been appointed.
Efforts to promote rural tourism are also underway, with 234 villages identified for development and a target of creating 50,000 homestay rooms by 2026–27. Eco-tourism is being expanded across 16 wildlife areas.
Record Tourist Footfall
According to the minister, Uttar Pradesh has become the top state in India in terms of domestic tourist arrivals. In 2025, the state recorded over 1.56 billion visitors, including around 3.6 million foreign tourists. Notably, Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Prayagraj alone accounted for nearly 90% of total tourist visits.
“Every tourist contributes to the livelihood of at least six people,” Singh noted, adding that the integration of faith, culture, and tourism has created a sustainable economic model for the state.
The minister asserted that Uttar Pradesh has successfully demonstrated how cultural heritage and spirituality can be transformed into economic strength, positioning the state as a global hub for spiritual tourism.
