Early Times Report
LUCKNOW, May 26: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, religious and cultural tourism is rapidly gaining momentum in Uttar Pradesh. With the construction of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the redevelopment of Kashi Vishwanath Dham, and record numbers of tourists and devotees visiting Mathura-Vrindavan and several other districts, the demand for affordable accommodation in the state has increased significantly. The Yogi government's Bed and Breakfast and Homestay Policy is addressing this demand effectively. Through this initiative, tourists are getting economical alternatives to expensive hotels, while new employment opportunities are opening up in both urban and rural areas.
According to data from the Tourism Department, homestays and farmstays have been expanding rapidly in Uttar Pradesh since the implementation of the Bed and Breakfast and Homestay Policy in 2025. Officials stated that more than 3,000 applications have been received from across the state so far, while nearly 900 homestays and farmstays have already been registered. Since the beginning of 2026, the number of applications has risen sharply, reflecting growing public confidence and interest in tourism-related businesses.
According to the Tourism Department, homestays and farmstays in the urban category are performing strongly in Varanasi, Mathura, Agra, Ayodhya, Prayagraj, and Lucknow.
Officials further noted that the rural homestay model is witnessing the fastest growth in the Bundelkhand region.
Districts such as Banda, Hamirpur, Mahoba, and Jhansi are emerging as new tourism destinations.
Apart from this, Barabanki, Bahraich, Pilibhit, and Lakhimpur are also rapidly gaining recognition as rural tourism destinations. Interest among travelers and local residents in homestays and farmstays is also growing steadily in the rural areas of Mathura-Vrindavan and Agra.
With affordable accommodation options becoming available, tourists and devotees are increasingly turning towards rural settings as well. |
