Uttar Pradesh secures $12 billion in hospitality investments
The state views tourism as crucial to its $1 trillion economy goal by 2029
Uttar Pradesh reportedly received hospitality investment proposals worth approximately $12.2 billion in the last two years following the introduction of the 2022 tourism policy. Pictured is the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
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By Vishnu Rageev RFeb 03, 2025
UTTAR PRADESH RECEIVED hospitality investment proposals worth approximately $12.2 billion, or Rs 1 trillion, in the last two years after introducing its 2022 tourism policy. The Indian state, which hosted the Global Investors Summit in February 2023, sees tourism as key to reaching its $1 trillion economy goal by 2029.
The state aims to expand tourism infrastructure and hospitality properties through private sector partnerships, Business Standard reported, citing government officials.
“The proposed investments include hotels, resorts, guesthouses, wellness centers, and homestays across all 75 districts,” said Mukesh Kumar Meshram, principal secretary of tourism and culture in UP, according to the report.
Most of the investment is targeted at religious and spiritual centers like Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Prayagraj, alongside traditional hotspots such as Lucknow, Agra, Kanpur, and Noida, the report added.
The report states that 10 new hotels are being built in Ayodhya, while a dozen properties are under development in Varanasi. Following the consecration of the Lord Ram temple in early 2024, Ayodhya has become one of the state’s top tourist destinations, welcoming 16.4 million pilgrims—a rise of over 10 million from the previous year.
Indian Hotels Co., operator of the Taj Group of Hotels, recently announced a luxury Taj property in Ayodhya, developed in partnership with the Solitaire Group.
Puneet Chhatwal, IHCL's managing director and CEO, stated the company will have 31 hotels in UP, including 18 under development, reflecting the state's growing prominence in domestic tourism.
UP receives the highest number of domestic tourists in India, Business Standard reported, citing official data. The state has about 190,000 hotel rooms, with 4,000 classified as quality rooms. It plans to add 200,000 new rooms, focusing on Varanasi, Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Agra, Mathura, Gorakhpur and the Buddhist Circuit, creating 300,000 jobs.
The state’s annual tourist footfall is expected to reach 850 million by 2028. In 2024, it saw 650 million tourists, a 17 percent increase from 480 million the previous year, according to the latest figures from the state tourism department. The number of foreign tourists grew by 667,000, from 1.6 million in 2023 to 2.2 million in 2024.
In a recent study, OYO ranked Hyderabad as the most-booked Indian city for 2024, while Puri, Varanasi, and Haridwar emerged as top religious tourism centers, drawing large numbers of pilgrims.
IHCL and Cemtac are developing a 64-key Gateway hotel in Pahalgam.
An April terror attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people, mostly tourists.
This will be IHCL’s seventh hotel in the state, including the one under development.
TATA’S INDIAN HOTELS Co. Ltd. and Cemtac Cements are developing a 64-key Gateway hotel in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. This is IHCL’s seventh hotel in statement, including the one under development.
The hotel will include a heated pool, health club and 2,000 square feet of banqueting facilities, the companies said in a statement.
“Pahalgam’s landscapes and cultural heritage make it a compelling destination across leisure, spiritual, adventure and eco-tourism segments,” said Suma Venkatesh, IHCL’s executive vice president for real estate and development. “This signing aligns with our strategy to invest in destinations with scenic appeal and a strong tourism ecosystem.”
A major terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 killed 26 people, mostly tourists.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with IHCL to bring the Gateway brand to Pahalgam,” said Riaz Ahmad Panjra, Cemtac Cements’ managing director. “This partnership reflects our shared vision to enhance hospitality in the region while showcasing its natural and cultural richness.”
Cemtac Cements, founded in 2008, is a brand in Jammu and Kashmir. Beyond cement, Panjra owns multiple hotels in Srinagar and Pahalgam and has investments in agriculture, diversifying his business portfolio.
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