Lucknow, March 25 Uttar Pradesh Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said on Wednesday that tourism has emerged as a key driver of economic growth during the nine years of the Yogi Adityanath government.
He highlighted a shift in the state's development model from what he termed a "graveyard economy" to a "temple economy".
Addressing the media at Lok Bhawan here, Singh said the transformation was structural, linking tourism growth with employment generation, local livelihoods, and global visibility.
Highlighting that the government views tourism as a major economic engine rather than a standalone sector, he said the state's cultural profile has gained global recognition, with Lucknow being designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2025.
According to a press statement, citing official data, the minister said Uttar Pradesh recorded over 156 crore tourist arrivals in 2025, including more than 36 lakh foreign visitors.
He added that Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Prayagraj together accounted for around 116 crore visitors, underlining the scale of religious tourism in the state.
Singh highlighted flagship initiatives such as the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, which he said led to a four to five-fold increase in footfall, and the Deepotsav in Ayodhya, where over 26 lakh earthen lamps were lit last year, creating a world record.
Speaking on policy measures, the BJP leader said the Tourism Policy 2022 has attracted investment proposals worth Rs 36,681 crore with the potential to generate nearly five lakh jobs.
As many as 1,757 tourism units have been registered under the policy, indicating increased private sector participation.
The minister said the government is expanding tourism beyond major urban centres, with 234 villages identified under rural tourism initiatives and a target of developing 50,000 homestay rooms by 2026-27.
Singh said that festivals such as Braj Rangotsav are boosting local economies by supporting handicrafts, hospitality, and small businesses.
Eco-tourism projects are also being developed across 16 forest and wildlife areas to diversify offerings, the minister said.
He added that connectivity and infrastructure are being strengthened through measures such as heli-tourism services and improved transport links across key destinations, while 850 tourist guides have been selected to enhance visitor experience.