Uttar Pradesh saw a significant rise in tourism in the first half of 2024, with over 11 crore pilgrims and tourists visiting Ayodhya, according to data released by the state tourism department. This figure represents about one-third of the 33 crore tourists who visited various destinations across the state during the same period.

Ayodhya surpassed Varanasi, which saw 4.61 crore visitors, as the most visited destination in Uttar Pradesh. Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh credited the surge in numbers to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, with both domestic and international footfall seeing a rise.

Statewide, Uttar Pradesh recorded a total of 32.98 crore visitors in the first six months of 2024, a marked increase from 19.6 crore during the same period in 2023. Of this, 32.87 crore were domestic tourists, while over 10 lakh were international visitors.

Major destinations in the state include Prayagraj, which saw 4.53 crore tourists, Mathura with 3.07 crore, and Agra with 69.84 lakh visitors. The capital, Lucknow, also recorded significant footfall with over 35 lakh domestic and 7,108 foreign visitors.

Tourism Minister Singh emphasised Uttar Pradesh’s growing global presence as a tourist destination, attributing the rise to improved infrastructure and facilities. The state’s strategic focus on promoting cultural heritage and spiritual tourism has led to this growth, solidifying its position as a key destination for both domestic and international travellers.

(With inputs from multiple news reports)