Ayodhya, the land of Lord Rama has made a name for itself yet again by being at the top of the list when it comes to preferred tourist destinations in Uttar Pradesh.
In a research project conducted by the Centre for Marketing in Emerging Economies (CMEE) and published by IIM Lucknow, the holy town of Ayodhya emerged as a favorite among Uttar Pradesh’s popular tourist destinations. Undoubtedly a boom in tourism in Ayodhya can be attributed to the success of Ayodhya's Ram Temple. A pinnacle of religious tourism in Ayodhya, the town sees visitors from across the world who come here for a temple tour and gather blessings from Ram Lalla. With a renewed focus on religious fairs and festivals, the holy town has an abundance of numerous pilgrimage sites for one to visit as well.
The criteria of the study focused mainly on covering travel aspects of destinations such as spending quality time with loved ones, destinations with historical and cultural significance, and safety and security while traveling. The study also determines the importance of the different factors in choosing a travel destination such as uniqueness, convenience, attractions, and overall emotional appeal of the destinations.
With a resolve to enhance tourism in the state, Uttar Pradesh’s tourism department is committed to cleanliness, improving transportation facilities, and increasing budget-friendly accommodations. A land as varied as can be, Uttar Pradesh offers as many as 12 specialized tourist circuits that cater to every kind of traveler.
The study commissioned by the state’s tourism department also talks about Uttar Pradesh’s other popular tourist destinations along with Ayodhya. According to the study, Agra, Mathura, Vrindavan, and Prayagraj are visited for ease of travel, Kanpur being recognized for offering value for money, Varanasi for being a luxury destination, Lucknow for its culinary and historical prowess, and mentioned other popular places such as Charkhari in Mahoba, Jhansi, Kalinjar, and Kushinagar.
