Lucknow: A sustained push on law and order, connectivity and infrastructure has recast Uttar Pradesh’s tourism landscape, propelling it into the top league of destinations and driving record footfalls, said tourism and culture minister Jaiveer Singh. He was speaking at the ‘Discover UP: People, Places, Possibilities’ conclave organised by UP Tourism and The Times of India in Lucknow on Friday.Setting the tone, Singh underlined that safety remains the cornerstone of tourism growth. “No tourist will come unless they feel secure. A strong law-and-order framework is the first condition for tourism and investment,” he said, adding that improved policing and governance since 2017 have helped dismantle long-held perceptions of insecurity.The shift is reflected in numbers and narrative alike. Once viewed through the prism of crime concerns, Uttar Pradesh is now increasingly seen as a hub of faith, heritage and infrastructure-led growth. “Today, the state stands as a model of improved governance. This confidence is translating directly into higher tourist inflow and investment,” Singh said.Connectivity has been the second big catalyst. Massive investment in expressways, highways, airports and rail networks has shrunk travel time across the state, making multi-city religious circuits viable within a day. “Destinations that earlier took days to reach are now just hours away. UP today has one of the strongest connectivity grids in the country,” he said.The gains are most visible across key religious centres. Ayodhya, Kashi, Mathura and Prayagraj have witnessed extensive upgrades—from better roads and accommodation to crowd management systems and public amenities—significantly enhancing visitor experience. “Our focus has been on cleanliness, convenience and seamless travel for pilgrims,” Singh said.Tourism growth has been sharp. Domestic tourist visits have surged from around 23 crore before 2017 to about 156 crore in 2025, placing UP at the top nationally. Ayodhya alone drew nearly 30 crore visitors last year, followed by Varanasi with 17.3 crore and Mathura with over 10 crore footfalls.Beyond headline destinations, govt is working to widen the tourism map. Singh said UP’s inherent advantage lies in its depth—almost every district has a cultural, spiritual or historical anchor. Efforts are underway to convert these into structured circuits backed by infrastructure and promotion.Flagging upcoming initiatives, he listed projects such as the Naimisharanya Corridor, Nath Corridor, Guru Gorakhnath circuit and Baba Neeb Karori circuit, along with plans to develop Bundelkhand’s forts and lesser-known heritage clusters. Integrated development along the Yamuna riverfront and sites linked to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee are also on the anvil.“We are not just developing destinations, but complete tourism ecosystems. The aim is to increase stay duration and encourage visitors to explore multiple locations,” Singh said.He also highlighted investor-friendly tourism policies offering incentives for hotels and hospitality projects, noting that the sector is emerging as a key driver of jobs and local enterprise.“UP has immense spiritual and cultural wealth. Our task is to preserve it and present it to the world with world-class infrastructure,” Singh said, expressing confidence that the state will consolidate its lead domestically and expand its global tourism footprint.
