Uttar Pradesh has transformed into a premier destination for cultural experiences, emerging not only as a tourist hub but as a one-stop destination for diverse cultural encounters. Over the last nine years, the state has become a favorite for visitors from across India and the world, offering a wide array of attractions. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has reshaped the state's development strategy around what his government calls a 'temple economy,' turning tourism from a niche cultural sector into a core driver of GDP growth, infrastructure development, and large-scale employment generation.
Record-Breaking Tourist Footfall
By revitalizing and aggressively promoting sacred sites, Uttar Pradesh has achieved a remarkable milestone, attracting over 156 crore visitors — including more than 36 lakh foreign tourists — cementing its position as a leading global spiritual and cultural destination. In 2025, the state received over 1.56 billion (156 crore) tourists, including more than 3.6 million (36 lakh) foreign tourists. In 2024, the state saw the arrival of over 640 million (64 crore) tourists and pilgrims, including more than 2.3 million (23 lakh) foreign tourists. Based on 2024 data, Uttar Pradesh secured the first position in domestic tourist arrivals and the fourth position in foreign tourist arrivals in 2025.
Infrastructure and Religious Projects
The cornerstone of this approach has been the development of grand religious infrastructure projects capable of managing massive footfalls while enhancing the visitor experience. Iconic initiatives such as the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi and the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya have triggered four- to five-fold surges in tourist arrivals. These have been complemented by high-impact cultural events like the annual Ayodhya Deepotsav and the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, which have positioned the state's spiritual heritage as a powerful economic engine, boosting local businesses, hospitality, and traditional artisans.
Tourism Policy and Diversification
To prevent over-concentration in a few locations, the government has revised its Tourism Policy to spread development across all 75 districts. It is now developing specialized tourism circuits, including the Bundelkhand Fort Circuit, the Neem Karoli Baba Circuit, and eco-tourism corridors spanning 16 forest reserves. To support sustainable growth, the state is going beyond conventional hotels by promoting rural homestays (targeting 50,000 rooms), training thousands of certified tourist guides, and introducing heli-tourism services to better connect its vast network of historical, spiritual, and natural attractions.
Government Vision
Since 2016, tourist footfall has nearly tripled, thanks to sustained government efforts to ensure adequate infrastructure and resources. Yogi Adityanath has stated, 'Tourism development in the state should be linked with cultural renaissance, employment generation, local economic growth, and global recognition, rather than being confined to infrastructure creation alone. Tourism has a crucial role in accelerating the state's cultural economy and can provide wider opportunities to local products, handicrafts, traditional arts, cuisine, and the service sector.'
Special Initiatives and Pilgrimage Support
The state has formed special boards and provided grants: ₹1 lakh per pilgrim for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, construction of Kailash Mansarovar Bhawan in Ghaziabad; ₹20,000 per pilgrim for Sindhi community undertaking 'Sindhu Darshan' pilgrimage. A special board for elderly saints, priests, and temple officiants is being constituted. A 'Veda Vigyan Kendra' (Vedic Science Centre) has been established at Naimisharanya in Sitapur district. Renovation and repair of temples, maths, dharmashalas, kunds, and pilgrimage sites over 100 years old on public land are underway, along with renovation of bhajan-sandhya and satsang venues.
Pilgrimage Site Transformations
Pilgrimage development councils have been formed for Shri Ayodhya Ji, Shri Devipatan Dham, Braj, Vindhya Dham, Shri Chitrakoot Dham, Naimisharanya Dham, and Shri Shuk Tirath. The Shri Kailash Mansarovar Yatra resumed in 2025-26 after the COVID-19 pandemic. Proposals for widening, strengthening, and development of 83 religious routes have been approved and forwarded to PWD for budget allocation. In Prayagraj, the Shivalaya Park has been developed as a unique landmark blending sustainability with cultural heritage, spread across 11 acres using approximately 400 tonnes of scrap material. Development work is progressing on sacred circumambulation paths for temples in Mirzapur, Mathura, and Sambhal.
Educational and Cultural Institutions
The Vedic Science Centre at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi has completed its first and second phases, with academic activities already commenced. In Lucknow, the government has completed construction of specialised galleries and a Natural Science Museum showcasing terracotta art, natural history, Nawabi art and culture, and paintings.
Landmark Projects and Heritage Revival
Transformative initiatives include the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, Ayodhya Deepotsav, Braj Rangotsav, and Kashi's Dev Deepavali. Restoration of Naimish Tirth and Shukra Tirth, re-installation of Maa Annapurna idol after nearly 100 years, and comprehensive development of Soron-Sukar Kshetra have been undertaken. Several traditional fairs have been granted state-level recognition, including Lakhri Mela, Makar Sankranti Mela, Basant Panchami Mela, Kartik Purnima Ganga Snan Mela, and Dev Deepavali Mela.
Museums, Memorials, and Connectivity
New museums have been constructed in Kaushambi, Barabanki (Pt. Babu KD Singh's ancestral home), Gorakhpur (Martyrs' Memorial), and Sultanpur. Heliport operations have been inaugurated in Agra and Mathura, with helicopter services in Lucknow, Prayagraj, and Kapilvastu. The birthplace of Paramahansa Yogananda in Gorakhpur has been restored. Under the Old Age and Indigent Artist Pension Scheme, pension support is extended to over 400 elderly artists above 60. Bhatkhande Music Institute has been elevated to Bhatkhande Cultural University.
Emerging Tourism Projects
In Prayagraj, Experience Azad Park and Dekho Prayagraj Trail highlight heritage. Mahoba is being developed as a heritage tourism destination. A world-class temple museum is being established in Ayodhya, and the Ayodhya Research Institute is being upgraded into the International Ramayana and Vedic Research Institute. The Buddha Theme Park project is progressing in Kushinagar. Integrated tourism development projects are being implemented in Bateshwar and Shravasti. Tourism development is underway at 1857 Revolution Sites, Martyrs' Memorial in Meerut, Dudheshwarnath Temples, Hastinapur, Ghaziabad, and Maa Avantika Devi Temple in Bulandshahr. Sound and light shows are being developed at Shukratirtha in Muzaffarnagar.
Infrastructure Developments
Work includes tourism development at Shri Kailash Temple in Agra, Malik Mohammad Jayasi Memorial in Amethi, Mahadev Temple (Barabanki), and North Corridor in Bareilly. Multi-level parking at Brajghat Garhmukteshwar, construction of Rampath, Bhaktipath, Dharmapath, Janmabhoomi Path, mini-fen, and canopy in Ayodhya. Construction of 5 Kosi, 14 Kosi, and 84 Kosi Parikrama Museum and Interpretation Center at Saket Sadan in Ayodhya. Cultural and urban rejuvenation on Kamadgiri Parikrama route in Chitrakoot. Biker Park tourist facility in Devangana Valley, and tourist facility centers along Ram Van Gaman Marg in Chitrakoot.
Deepotsav World Record
A world record was set in Ayodhya during Deepotsav (October 17-19, 2025) by lighting over 2.6 million (26 lakh) earthen lamps. Dev Deepawali in Kashi (November 3-5, 2025) drew hundreds of thousands of devotees and tourists. Holi was organized in Barsana, Mathura by the Tourism Department.
Eco-Tourism and Skill Development
Construction of State Institute of Hotel Management in Aligarh, providing training in 17 courses to over 1,700 youths. Establishment of State Institute of Hotel Management in Gorakhpur. Development work on 16 eco-tourism projects. The UP Eco-Tourism Development Board participated in UP International Trade Show-2025. Travel influencers, wildlife photographers, and students participated in an event in Gorakhpur. Formation of Youth Tourism Clubs across all 75 districts. Launch of air services between Lucknow and Dudhwa National Park. The village of Puramahadev in Baghpat was awarded in 'Heritage' category at 'Best Tourism Village Competition 2024'. The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Policy-2022 was promulgated, with registration certificates issued to 1,757 tourism units. Participation in international travel events like Arabian Travel Market, JATA, PATA, IFTM Top Resa, ITB, and WTM.
Tourism Police and Guides
Tourism police system implemented in Agra, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Mathura, Jhansi, and Lucknow. Selection of 850 state-level guides operating in Agra, Varanasi, Lucknow, and Kushinagar regions. Allocation of ₹45 crore to add one lakh additional rooms by 2026-27. Target of 50,000 new homestay rooms by 2026-27; permission granted for branded operators to lease homestays. Waiver of ₹10,000 license fee for female tourist guides. Under 'Bed and Breakfast' scheme, accommodation with Indian families is made available to tourists.
Cultural Renaissance
A new music college has been established in Hariharpur, Azamgarh. The Tharu Tribal Culture Museum in Imilia Kodar, Balrampur, has been completed. A museum has been set up at the ancestral home of Lal Bahadur Shastri in Ramnagar, Varanasi. In Batebar, construction of a grand Cultural Complex is underway for Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In Lucknow, work is progressing on the Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial and Cultural Centre in Aishbagh. The Nishadraj Guha Cultural Centre has been established in Prayagraj.
Artist Empowerment and Cultural Exchange
A total of 9,532 artist troupes and approximately 24,750 individual artists have been registered in the official Artist Directory. MoUs signed with Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim, and Manipur under 'Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat' scheme. 'Cultural Club' scheme implemented in educational institutions since 2022.
Heritage Preservation and Rural Tourism
As many as 212 monuments are being preserved. Under Tourism Policy-2022, 1,684 tourism units registered, attracting investments worth ₹36,681.32 crore and generating approximately five lakh employment opportunities. The state has selected 234 villages for rural tourism development.
Music and Performing Arts Promotion
Land allocated for new campus of Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya. The historic building is being developed into a grand Centre for Music and Performing Arts.
Rashtra Prerna Sthal, Lucknow
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 'Rashtra Prerna Sthal' in Lucknow in December 2025. The site honors Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It features colossal 65-foot statues of each leader, a lotus-shaped museum, amphitheater, yoga classes, cafeteria, and extensive open space with parking.
