The ancient city of Varanasi (Kashi) has officially emerged as India’s largest tourism hub, recording an unprecedented surge in visitor numbers that have surpassed traditional favorites like Goa and Jaipur. The transformation, largely fueled by a focus on spiritual tourism and major infrastructure projects, signals a significant shift in the country’s travel landscape.
According to data from the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, the city welcomed over 11 crore (110 million) visitors in 2024, a massive figure that puts it far ahead of established leisure destinations.
While domestic spiritual travel is the main driver, the most staggering growth has been in international arrivals:
- 120-Fold Jump: Foreign tourist visits to Varanasi have seen an exponential rise, jumping more than 120 times since 2021.
- Numbers Speak: Foreign footfall, which stood at a mere 2,566 in 2021, skyrocketed to over 3,09,932 in 2024. The trend shows no sign of slowing, solidifying Varanasi’s position on the global spiritual and cultural map.
The monumental rise in tourism is directly attributed to the inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor in December 2021. The revamp connected the Kashi Vishwanath Temple directly to the Ganga ghats with modern amenities and improved accessibility, fundamentally changing the pilgrim experience.
- Economic Impact: The boom has had a cascading effect on the local economy, generating new employment opportunities and boosting business for local merchants, hotels, boatmen, and artisans, with the economic contribution estimated in the lakhs of crores.
- Infrastructure Upgrade: Alongside the Kashi Vishwanath project, the development of new hotels, better road connectivity, and airport expansion have collectively enhanced the visitor experience, making the ancient city more tourist-friendly year-round.
Varanasi’s success, coupled with the rising popularity of other pilgrim destinations like Ayodhya and Prayagraj, highlights a powerful new trend in Indian tourism, where spiritual and cultural heritage is leading the country’s travel sector growth.
