Lucknow: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday called on the nation to “Think big, think like UP”, citing nearly a decade of development in Uttar Pradesh that he said has helped the state shed an earlier negative image and become a preferred destination for investment and tourism.Yogi was speaking at the inauguration of Hotel Taj Palace in Lucknow. He said the hotel’s first guests would be a Japanese delegation visiting India for UP-Japan Investors Meet, linking the opening to the state’s outreach to global investors.Highlighting govt’s tenure since 2017, chief minister said the administration had worked to demonstrate Uttar Pradesh’s “unlimited potential” and described the state as the country’s “hot land” for growth. He said Uttar Pradesh has seen a sharp rise in tourism, noting that while the state stood third nationally in tourism when his govt took office, pilgrimage and other destinations recorded 156 crore tourist visits in 2025.Yogi attributed the state’s changing profile to expanded infrastructure, pointing to 17 domestic and five international airports and claiming Uttar Pradesh accounts for 60% of India’s expressway network. He also referenced the introduction of rapid rail connectivity and an inland waterway, and said improvements in law and order have created a better security environment supportive of business.In hospitality and culture, he cited UNESCO’s recognition of Lucknow as a “Creative City of Gastronomy”. He also pointed to One District One Product initiative, saying it has boosted exports worth Rs 2 lakh and generated employment.
