Uttar Pradesh experienced a historic surge in tourism during the first six months of 2024, setting new records and establishing itself as a global tourism hub. Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, emerged as the leading attraction, welcoming a staggering 11 crore tourists, including 2,851 foreign visitors. This remarkable influx can be attributed to the Pran Pratishtha ceremony and the installation of the idol of Ram Lalla at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in January 2024, which significantly boosted both domestic and international tourism.
Varanasi, the spiritual city on the banks of the Ganges, followed closely with 4.61 crore tourists, including 1,33,999 international travelers. Other major attractions like Prayagraj, Mathura, and Agra continued to draw millions of visitors each, showcasing the rich cultural and religious heritage of the state.
The state as a whole witnessed a substantial increase in tourism, with 33 crore visitors recorded from January to June 2024, a significant leap from the 31 crore visitors for the entirety of 2022. This includes 32.87 crore domestic tourists and over 10 lakh international travelers. This surge underscores the state’s rapidly expanding tourism footprint.
Commenting on these figures, Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh said, “Uttar Pradesh is establishing itself as a global tourism hub. With ongoing development of tourist infrastructure and improved facilities, we are seeing unprecedented growth in tourist numbers, both from India and abroad.”
The rapid increase in tourist footfall across major destinations such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Agra points to Uttar Pradesh’s successful efforts to promote its cultural and religious heritage. The tourism department is also working to enhance the visitor experience, ensuring that the state continues to attract tourists throughout the year.
Besides Ayodhya and Varanasi, Prayagraj recorded 4.53 crore visitors, including 3,668 foreign tourists, while Mathura saw 3 crore domestic visitors and 49,619 foreign travelers. Lucknow, the state capital, also experienced a steady stream of tourists, with 35 lakh domestic visitors and 7,108 foreign tourists, showcasing the wide appeal of the state’s diverse cultural and historical offerings.
