As of 2025, Uttar Pradesh holds the record for the largest number of tourist visits among all Indian states. The state’s allure comes from its dense concentration of religious, cultural, and heritage landmarks: Agra’s Taj Mahal, the spiritual city of Varanasi, the temple town of Ayodhya, Prayagraj, and the duo of Mathura-Vrindavan consistently draw millions of both domestic and international visitors. 

This isn’t just about numbers—the pull of pilgrimage, rituals, festivals, and historical significance fuels the steady stream of tourists. UP’s balance of globally recognised monuments and deeply rooted religious traditions gives it a unique dual appeal. The growth in tourism also highlights how India’s broader global tourism footprint is expanding, as the country climbs indices like the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI). 

Still, such large volumes come with infrastructure challenges: managing crowding, maintaining heritage sites, ensuring visitor amenities, and preserving the cultural and environmental integrity of sites are key hurdles. Yet, Uttar Pradesh’s lead in tourist footfall underscores how historical depth and spiritual heritage remain powerful drivers of Indian tourism today.