Uttar Pradesh’s tourism sector has experienced significant growth, with the state welcoming over 32 crore tourists in the first nine months of 2023. This figure surpassed the total footfalls for the entire calendar year of 2022, marking a notable increase of at least 25%.
The surge in tourism includes a substantial number of foreign visitors who explored the diverse attractions of the state. Uttar Pradesh achieved milestones not only in tourism but also across various sectors, securing top positions in central and state welfare schemes.
According to information from an official spokesperson, a total of 31,91,95,206 people from across the country explored Uttar Pradesh from January to September 2023, with foreign visitors numbering at 9,54,866.
Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lok Sabha constituency, emerged as the top tourist destination, attracting 8,42,04,814 tourists globally between January and September. Prayagraj followed closely, with 4,49,95,996 visitors, and Ayodhya secured the third spot, welcoming 2,03,64,347 tourists.
The peak tourist footfall in Uttar Pradesh occurred between January and July, ranging between 5.56 to 5.80 crore. The state anticipates a further boost in the tourism sector in 2024, particularly with the grand inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya scheduled for January 22. The temple town is gearing up for the ‘pran pratishtha’ or consecration ceremony of the Ram Lalla idol, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to attend the auspicious event. Invitations have been extended to eminent personalities from various fields, promising an exciting year ahead for Uttar Pradesh’s tourism industry.
