Agra Tops the List for Foreign Tourists in Uttar Pradesh; indians Favor varanasi and Prayagraj

Agra has emerged as the top tourist destination for foreigners visiting Uttar Pradesh from 2017 to 2023, according to recent data from the state tourism department. During this period, agra attracted 80.08 lakh foreign visitors, while varanasi drew 28 lakh. The data highlights a significant preference among international travelers for agra, known for its iconic Taj Mahal, despite a noticeable drop in foreign visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For indian tourists, the preference shifts towards varanasi and Prayagraj. varanasi has been the top choice for indian tourists in the past two calendar years, with substantial numbers visiting the city, renowned for its spiritual significance. Prayagraj also remains a favored destination, particularly noted for its high tourist inflow during the Kumbh mela in 2019.

Between 2017 and 2023, Uttar Pradesh saw 1.51 crore foreign visitors overall, with agra consistently leading in foreign tourist numbers each year except during the pandemic. The city experienced a decline in 2023 compared to pre-COVID years but has seen a recovery in recent times.

In contrast, Varanasi's foreign tourist numbers have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, and Prayagraj's international footfall has been minimal post-2020. For instance, in 2023, agra welcomed 11 lakh foreign tourists, varanasi had 2.22 lakh, and Prayagraj saw only 4,853.

Indian tourists showed varied preferences over the years. On average, from 2017 to 2023, about 7.4 lakh indians visited Uttar Pradesh daily, with Prayagraj receiving over two lakh visitors, varanasi about one lakh, and agra close to 1.52 lakh. agra was the most-visited city by indian tourists in 2017 and 2021, Prayagraj in 2019 and 2020, and varanasi in 2018, 2022, and 2023.

The data underscores the significance of agra for international travelers and the shifting dynamics of domestic tourism within Uttar Pradesh. varanasi and Prayagraj hold considerable religious and cultural importance, making them central to Hindu pilgrimage and spiritual tourism. In 2023, varanasi attracted approximately 13 crore indian tourists, agra saw 10.40 lakh, and Prayagraj had 5.40 lakh visitors. In contrast, 2019 saw Prayagraj draw nearly 30 crore indian tourists, with agra and varanasi attracting 8.14 crore and 2 crore, respectively.
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Balasahana Suresh

15/09/2024 03:27 PM