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The record-breaking increase in tourists in Varanasi in recent years is attributable to the opening of the revamped Kashi Viswanath corridor as well as the Centre’s fresh impetus to religious tourism. In his Sunday’s ‘Mann Ki Baat‘, PM Modi said the tourist footfall in Varanasi has crossed 10 crore a year.
Independent surveys have pegged the footfall in Varanasi at an eight-fold increase as compared to Goa in 2022. A survey by ICICI Direct suggested that while Varanasi received 7.2 crore tourists in 2022, Goa was far behind with 85 lakh.
The impact of the tourism boost, the PM pointed out, is being felt on lives and livelihoods. The survey said Varanasi’s tourism-related income ballooned by 20-65%, while employment in the sector shot up by 34.2%.
Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, in collaboration with the IATO conducted a workshop and panel discussion in Bhopal. The event aimed to boost foreign tourism in MP by exploring new destinations, fostering collaborations with airlines and hotels, and enhancing tourism infrastructure. The panel discussion saw interactions between government officials, IATO members, and stakeholders. Mahendra Pratap Singh was announced as the IATO Chapter Chairman for Madhya Pradesh.
This ties into the Union tourism ministry’s own data, which pegs over 60% of tourism in India in the religious and spiritual tourism category. Ministry data also suggests that economies surrounding places of worship in India raked in close to Rs 1.3 lakh crore in 2022, up from Rs 65,070 crore in 2021.Modi said that while Varanasi leads in footfall, other temple towns such as Ayodhya, Mathura and Ujjain are not far behind.
Modi also referenced two American pilgrims, who undertook the Amarnath Yatra inspired by the experiences of Swami Vivekananda. “They got so inspired that they themselves came for the Yatra. They consider it as the blessings of Lord Bholenath. This is the specialty of India that she accepts everyone, gives something or the other to everyone,” he said.
The PM also lauded the efforts of French yoga practitioner Charlotte Chopin, who despite being over 100 years, is a prominent face of India’s science of yoga and its strength.
The PM also urged people to embrace one’s heritage, and to present it responsibly to the world, while drawing the country’s attention to one such effort being made in Ujjain.
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