Religious tourism is driving unprecedented growth in India’s travel sector, with Varanasi alone drawing more than 11 crore visitors in 2024, according to government data reported by the Press Information Bureau (PIB). At the 55th Annual Convention of the Federation of Hotels and Restaurants Association of India (FHRAI), tourism leaders highlighted how destinations such as Puducherry and Karnataka are reshaping India’s tourism economy.
Puducherry in global spotlight
Tourism Minister K. Lakshminarayanan said Puducherry received about 19 lakh visitors in 2024, with the hospitality sector contributing nearly Rs 25,000 crore to the union territory’s economy. He pointed out that Puducherry has been ranked the second best place in the world for tourism in a recent global report. The government, he added, is investing heavily in infrastructure to sustain and expand this momentum.
Karnataka showcases vast heritage
Dr Rajendra, Director of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, emphasised that the state is home to more than 25,000 historical and heritage sites, including four UNESCO World Heritage sites and 800 notified tourist sites. He said the Tourism Policy 2025, launched earlier this year aims to strengthen public-private partnerships to unlock the sector’s potential for growth and employment.
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Gen Z drives spiritual travel
Spiritual tourism is no longer confined to older generations, said Sri Ganesh Pai of ISKCON, Bengaluru South. Citing travel portal data, he noted that 80 to 90 per cent of searches for destinations now relate to religious sites, with most of the interest driven by Gen Z travellers. “Young tourists are adding adventure and wellness experiences to their itineraries alongside spiritual visits,” he added.
Skilling for wellness and hospitality
Industry leaders also drew attention to the need for a more skilled workforce to match rising expectations. Dr Jazzy Nepram of Shangri-La said the wellness sector must diversify by collaborating with trained professionals to improve both revenue and quality of services. Similarly, Dr Bhupesh Kumar, Principal of the Institute of Hotel Management in Ranchi, stressed that the Gen Z cohort would drive hospitality growth in the future, urging employers to invest in training and polishing staff to meet their needs.
Varanasi’s record footfall
Varanasi, one of the country’s most significant spiritual hubs, saw its visitor numbers jump sharply in 2024, hosting more than 11 crore visitors, up from about 8.94 crore in 2023. This marks an 18.7 per cent increase year-on-year, according to official tourism figures. While domestic tourists formed the bulk of the growth, foreign arrivals rose by nearly 35 per cent. Improved connectivity, upgraded ghats, heritage conservation and the city’s branding as Brand Banaras have been central to this success. With both spiritual and modern leisure experiences attracting younger travellers, the sector is emerging as one of the country’s strongest economic drivers.
