≡-Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Prayagraj See Unprecedented Growth in Religious Tourism, Helping Uttar Pradesh Cement Its Position as India’s Leading Destination – Viral of Today

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Home » Destination News » Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Prayagraj See Unprecedented Growth in Religious Tourism, Helping Uttar Pradesh Cement Its Position as India’s Leading Destination Sunday, July 13, 2025Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Prayagraj, three of Uttar Pradesh’s most iconic spiritual cities, have witnessed an extraordinary surge in religious tourism, propelling the state to the forefront of India’s travel landscape. This unprecedented growth is a direct result of a combination of factors, including extensive infrastructure development, the rejuvenation of historical and religious sites, and targeted government initiatives. The revitalization of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi, the massive turnout at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, and the ongoing transformation of Ayodhya into a global pilgrimage hub have all contributed to this booming sector. As millions of domestic and international visitors flock to these sacred destinations, Uttar Pradesh is solidifying its position as India’s leading tourism powerhouse, driving economic growth, creating new job opportunities, and positioning itself as a global center for religious tourism.UP’s Role in Indian Tourism’s GrowthIn 2023, India recorded 1.88 crore foreign visitors, but the real story was the unprecedented surge in domestic travel, reaching an astonishing 250 crore visits. At the heart of this domestic travel boom lies religious tourism, with Uttar Pradesh standing as the prime beneficiary. The state is home to some of India’s most revered spiritual destinations associated with prominent figures such as Lord Ram, Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva, Gautam Buddha, and Guru Gorakhnath.With a robust alignment between the central and state governments, Uttar Pradesh is increasingly becoming a hotspot for both religious and cultural tourism. Over the past few years, the state has solidified its position as the most visited destination for domestic tourists, a trend that is expected to only intensify.Economic Contribution and Employment Generation in the Hospitality SectorAs per forecasts, Indian hospitality will create almost 10% of new employment over the years to come. Increasing focus on religious travel drives this growth, and tourism employment doubled within the preceding two years. The increase translates directly to an increase in tourism’s contribution to Indian GDP, which will touch an 8% level within the subsequent five to seven years.Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi chambers of commerce recognize that religious travel accounts for more than 60% of total travel all over India. While religious travel internationally continues to increase to more than $2 billion by 2032, the nation has the opportunity to benefit from this highly lucrative industry more than any other country globally. The state of Uttar Pradesh, through its religious culture, will benefit most from this rapidly increasing market.Major religious sites experience unheard-of growthSeveral key cities and religious centers in Uttar Pradesh are experiencing a tourism surge of historic proportions. The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi has seen an overwhelming rise in visitors—jumping from 50 lakh annually before its redevelopment to over 6 crore today. In Prayagraj, the Mahakumbh event attracted more than 66 crore people, underscoring the state’s appeal as a global pilgrimage destination.But the largest increase has been registered in Ayodhya. From mere 2.83 lakh pilgrims and tourists in 2016, pilgrims and tourists have grown to a massive 13.44 crore plus by September 2024, an astonishing growth spurred by the state’s efforts to rejuvenate its religious sites. The tourism boom is likely to sustain after the Mahakumbh, and records are being smashed throughout the state.Revitalization of Lesser-Known Spiritual Circuits Beyond the major cities, Uttar Pradesh is also witnessing a revival of smaller yet equally important religious sites. The Vindhyavasini Dham in Mirzapur, the sacred region of Chitrakoot, and the Krishna-Radha circuits, which include Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, Nandgram, Gokul, and Govardhan, are drawing increased attention from spiritual travelers. These destinations, while not as well-known globally, are now vital contributors to the state’s tourism economy, stimulating local businesses in hospitality, retail, and services.Hotel expansion maintains local momentumThe boom in domestic travel holds immense possibility for the hotel industry in Uttar Pradesh. The state will need to create a minimum of 10 lakh new hotel rooms over the coming seven years to meet the swelling influx of tourists. The requirement will generate more than 35 lakh new jobs, a large number (15–20 lakh) of which are expected to come to smaller cities where luxury hotels are slowly increasing their footprint. As tourism flourishes in religious cities, the hotel industry is witnessing widespread growth there.This expansion is not just confined to smaller hotels and guesthouses, but luxury hotel chains are now increasingly seeking to open up in less-developed parts of Uttar Pradesh, indicating a trend towards democratization of luxury service delivery there.Infrastructure and Government Support Boost Tourism PotentialStrategic infrastructure investments, such as the development of new high-speed railway lines, new airports, and enhanced road connections, are helping to make travel to Uttar Pradesh’s religious destinations easier. These upgrades are helping to make traveling more convenient and more comfortable for domestic and overseas tourists, and ensuring that the state continues to rank highly among spiritual travel destinations.The proactive efforts by the government to safeguard cultural and religious sites are equally instrumental. Restoration work is being done throughout the state to maintain ancient temples, and attempts to promote local crafts and state-level festivals are providing richness to the tourism experience. The end result is an integrated approach to tourism development whereby preservation of heritage goes hand-in-hand with contemporary convenience.Uttar Pradesh is fast becoming the spiritual center of India and the force behind the country’s tourism-led economic development. Thanks to investments in infrastructure and cultural conservation by the government, combined with rising interest among pilgrim tourists, Uttar Pradesh stands to rank among the global leading places of pilgrimage. As India looks to harness the full potential of its tourism sector, Uttar Pradesh’s growing prominence as a key player in this transformation will undoubtedly be a crucial element in driving the country’s future economic prosperity. The state’s rich spiritual heritage, coupled with forward-thinking governance, positions it to be at the center of India’s tourism boom, lighting the path for both domestic and international travelers seeking meaning and connection through travel.

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