Skift Take
Despite the surge in online travel searches, the ultimate success in reaching the 50 million tourist goal for Ayodhya hinges on translating the ambitious infrastructure plans into tangible reality.
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As Ayodhya undergoes a massive transformation with a projected $10 billion redevelopment, including a new airport, upgraded railway station, township, and improved road connectivity, the town could attract over 50 million tourists annually, according to a report by brokerage firm Jeffries.
Why 50 Million Is a Big Number: The town in Uttar Pradesh has been in the news for Monday’s inauguration of the temple dedicated to Lord Ram. It is touted to surpass other religious tourism hotspots like the Golden Temple that receives around 30-35 million visitors annually, and Tirupati temple that sees 25-30 million visits.
In a global context, Vatican City attracts approximately 9 million tourists yearly, while Mecca in Saudi Arabia welcomes around 20 million.
Religious Tourism in India: Religious tourism is a significant segment of India's tourism industry, as evidenced by increased bookings to spiritual destinations on platforms like Yatra Online and MakeMyTrip. MakeMyTrip observed 97% growth in sear