LUCKNOW: Adding another feather in its cap, Uttar Pradesh has earned the top position in terms of attracting the highest number of domestic tourists in 2019, leaving Tamil Nadu behind.
The Indian Tourism Statistics (ITS), 2020, announced that as many as 53.6 crore domestic tourists visited UP in 2019 which was much higher as compared to 2018 when UP had got the second position behind Tamil Nadu.
UP also secured the third position in attracting foreign tourists with a record footfall of nearly 47 lakh foreigners visiting the state last year.
Talking to TOI here on Monday, principal secretary, tourism and culture, Mukesh Meshram said that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s efforts in promoting tourism are bearing fruits.
He said that UP has tremendous tourism potential having many places of religious, cultural and historical importance. The state also has several wildlife sanctuaries, he added.
A number of circuits have been identified in the state and some of them, including Ramayan circuit, Braj circuit, Mahabharat circuit, Shaktipeeth circuit, Adhyatmik circuit, Jain circuit and Buddhist circuit, attract foreign as well as domestic tourists in large numbers, said the principal secretary, tourism.
Special emphasis is being given on the upgradation of tourist places falling in these circuits, Meshram added.