Visitors to Ayodhya increased from 16.44 Cr in 2024 to 29.95 Cr in 2025.
About 23.75 crore tourists visited Uttar Pradesh in 2017; by 2019, that number had almost doubled to 54.06 crore. Despite a downturn during the COVID outbreak, the Tourism Policy 2022’s successful implementation sped up recovery. As a result, Uttar Pradesh ranked fourth in terms of foreign visitor arrivals in 2024 and became the state with the most domestic visitors in the nation with 64.91 crore.
A major factor in increasing tourism has been the implementation of the Tourism Policy 2022 in accordance with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision, as well as the growth of eco-tourism, infrastructure improvements in tourism facilities, improved connectivity, robust law and order, and the expansion of airports, motorways, and transportation services.
Additionally, the Mahakumbh-2025 caused an unparalleled boom in 2025, with 156.18 crore tourists. Notably, Uttar Pradesh has seen a nearly sevenfold growth in tourists during the last nine years. The state currently contributes 21.9% of India’s domestic tourism, demonstrating its rising stature as a major international travel destination.
With the help of investment-based subsidies, the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Policy 2022 encourages 22 activities, such as lodging, homestays, eco-tourism, wellness, and adventure travel. Over 1,684 tourism units have been registered, and an investment target of INR 36,681 crore has been reached thus far. The state now has over 5 lakh job prospects thanks to this, and women’s participation has significantly increased.
Numerous pilgrimage development councils have been founded and revived in order to increase religious and cultural tourism, improving amenities for devotees and stimulating local tourism economies.
Ayodhya saw an increase in tourists from 2.84 lakh in 2017 to over 16.44 crore in 2024 and 29.95 crore in 2025. In a similar vein, the Kumbh and Mahakumbh in Prayagraj and the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor in Varanasi have greatly increased travel in these areas.
With 197 historical and religious sites restored between 2017 and 2025, this paradigm has spread beyond large cities, resulting in a significant increase in trade and employment driven by tourism.
In Uttar Pradesh, festivals have evolved into magnificent cultural events. Both local and foreign visitors are drawn to places like Ayodhya’s Deepotsav, Varanasi’s Dev Deepawali, and Mathura and Barsana’s Holi events. 66.30 crore people attended the Mahakumbh-2025 in Prayagraj alone, shattering previous records.
Large-scale regional fairs like the Lakhri Mela in Lalitpur, the Kartik Purnima Ganga Snan Mela in Bulandshahr, the Nauchandi Mela in Meerut, the Bateshwar Cattle Fair in Agra, and the Dadri Mela in Ballia have also benefited industries like hospitality, retail, transportation, prasad and floriculture, and services.
