Synopsis
Domestic tourism in India witnessed a remarkable 44% increase in 2023, reaching 250 crore visits. Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu emerged as the most popular destinations, attracting millions of tourists. This growth is expected to boost local economies and promote sustainable tourism initiatives.Key Takeaways
- 44% increase in domestic tourism in 2023.
- Top destinations: Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
- Uttar Pradesh recorded 47.85 crore tourist visits.
- Launch of 'Dekho Apna Desh' initiative.
- Boost to local economies and employment opportunities.
New Delhi, March 24 (NationPress) Domestic tourist visits throughout the nation surged by 44 percent to 250 crore in 2023 compared to the prior year, with Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu taking the lead as the top two destinations, as conveyed to Parliament on Monday.
The Minister of Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, provided a written response in the Lok Sabha on Monday, stating that 250.96 crore domestic tourist visits were recorded in 2023, up from 173.10 crore in 2022.
Uttar Pradesh, home to the Taj Mahal, one of the Wonders of the World, was the most frequented state for domestic tourists, attracting 47.85 crore visitors in 2023.
Following Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu welcomed 28.60 crore tourists, while Karnataka attracted 28.41 crore, Andhra Pradesh received 25.47 crore, Maharashtra hosted 16.13 crore, and Gujarat registered 17.80 crore visitors.
In the year 2023, the national capital, Delhi, saw 3.94 crore tourists.
Among the hilly regions, Uttarakhand recorded the highest domestic tourist visits at 5.81 crore, while Jammu and Kashmir had 2.06 crore and Himachal Pradesh reported 1.59 crore tourists.
The desert state of Rajasthan welcomed 17.90 crore domestic tourists in 2023, stated the minister.
The Ministry of Tourism initiated the 'Dekho Apna Desh' campaign in January 2020 to promote domestic tourism across the country. This initiative aims to enhance tourism destinations and products of India through various activities like webinars, pledges, seminars, tourism promotional events, familiarization tours, roadshows, websites, and social media engagement.
As part of this initiative, the ministry has introduced the 'Dekho Apna Desh People’s Choice' poll to involve citizens in identifying their most favored tourist attractions within the nation.
The revamped version of www.incredibleindia.gov.in has been launched by the Ministry of Tourism, offering information on various tour programs and package tours in collaboration with stakeholders.
The rise in domestic tourist visits to various destinations, facilitated by this initiative, is anticipated to enhance local economies, generate employment opportunities, and bolster hospitality services, thus fostering sustainable tourism growth.
