Uttar Pradesh has scripted a remarkable tourism success story under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, emerging as India’s top state in domestic tourist arrivals and fourth in foreign tourist footfall. According to data released by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, the state welcomed over 137 crore domestic tourists and 3.66 lakh foreign visitors in 2025, marking an unprecedented milestone in its tourism journey.
The transformation is being widely credited to the Chief Minister’s clear vision of reviving Uttar Pradesh’s religious, cultural, and historical heritage while strengthening modern tourism infrastructure. A major catalyst behind this surge was the divine and grand Mahakumbh-2025 in Prayagraj, which alone witnessed a record-breaking 66 crore devotees and tourists from India and abroad.
Religious and Cultural Hubs Drive Tourism Boom
Traditional spiritual centres such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, Mathura-Vrindavan, and Shravasti have now firmly established themselves as national and global tourism hotspots. Large-scale cultural festivals organised by the Tourism and Culture Department — including Deepotsav, Dev Deepawali, Rangotsav, Magh Mela, and Ramleela celebrations — have become major attractions for both domestic and international visitors.
Ayodhya’s Deepotsav once again set a new Guinness World Record for lighting the highest number of earthen lamps, while Varanasi made headlines with the world’s largest Ram tableau and immersive cultural experiences like 3D hologram shows, projection mapping, Kathak performances, and Ram Katha at the ghats.
Rs 1,283 Crore Tourism Projects Transform Infrastructure
The Tourism Department is currently implementing tourism projects worth Rs 1,283.33 crore, focusing on infrastructure development, connectivity, and visitor facilities.
Key initiatives include:
●Beautification of Varanasi ghats
●Construction of integrated circuit houses and convention centres
●Development of Ram Van Gaman Path and tourist facilities in Chitrakoot
●Restoration of heritage sites such as Valmiki Nagar, Sita Rasoi, Kaushalya Dham, Bharatkothi, and Lav-Kush Kuti
In addition, district tourism units have launched five new projects worth Rs 7 crore, while multiple proposals under the Chief Minister Tourism Development Partnership Scheme are either approved or awaiting clearance.
Massive Investment Interest and Global Outreach
Uttar Pradesh Tourism Policy 2022 has attracted strong investor confidence. The official tourism portal has registered 1,757 tourism units, with investment proposals worth Rs 37,688.58 crore already received.
To promote the state globally, Uttar Pradesh actively participated in major international tourism platforms including Zurich Travel Mart, Global Travel Market 2025, Paris Fashion Week, ITB Asia, FITUR 2025, and GTAC Tokyo-Sydney, along with national expos across India.
Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Tourism
The government has also focused on youth participation through the CM Tourism Fellowship Programme, forming youth tourism teams in all 75 districts. These teams assist tourists, promote cultural awareness, and support heritage conservation.
Skill development initiatives in collaboration with the Government of India are training youth in tourist guiding, hospitality, aviation services, and hotel management, generating employment across the state. Projects like the Shahjahanpur Convention and Exhibition Centre (Phase-2) are nearing completion, further boosting the tourism ecosystem.
New Dimensions of Growth Under CM Yogi’s Leadership
Under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme, major projects are underway in Prayagraj and Shravasti, while heritage clusters are being developed in Kanpur, Chitrakoot, Sultanpur, and Farrukhabad. The homestay scheme and rural tourism initiatives have expanded self-employment opportunities and revived local traditions, folk music, cuisine, and crafts.
With sustained focus on infrastructure, culture, youth empowerment, and global promotion, Uttar Pradesh is steadily emerging as a global tourism hub, driving economic growth while preserving its rich civilisational heritage.
