Dehradun: According to the recently released tourism department report, a total of 5.96 crore tourists and pilgrims visited the state in 2023-24, most of whom reached Garhwal division’s tourist spots and Char Dham shrines. Hence, the number of tourists was recorded higher in Garhwal division than in Kumaon.
The number of devotees visiting the major religious sites of Garhwal division, especially the Char Dham pilgrimage, is continuously increasing. As per this report, 56 lakh pilgrims visited Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines in 2023-24. This year so far this number has reached 35 lakhs, which shows the increasing popularity of religious tourism in the state.
Garhwal has been ahead in drawing the tourists/pilgrims
Being a Himalayan state, tourism and pilgrimage in Uttarakhand are considered the backbone of the state’s economy and tourist’s influx contribute majorly in the income of this state. In comparison to Garhwal region, the tourist sites in Kumaon region witnessed lesser footfall of tourists in the year 2023-24 as 5.39 crore tourists came to Garhwal division, while only 57 lakh tourists reached Kumaon division.
Haridwar in Garhwal has seen maximum footfall of pilgrims
Haridwar has been at the top among the major tourist destinations of Garhwal division, where 3.70 crore tourists came. Apart from this, 86 lakh tourists visited Dehradun, 37 lakhs in Tehri, 23 lakhs in Rudraprayag, 28 lakhs in Chamoli and 16 lakhs in Uttarkashi. Along with pilgrimage, adventure and nature tourism is also flourishing in Garhwal, due to which local business has increased and employment opportunities have also increased.
Nainital in Kumaon received maximum tourists
In Kumaon division, Nainital, which is a major tourist destination, received 12.90 lakh tourists. Apart from this, 3.63 lakh tourists visited Almora, 1.27 lakh in Pithoragarh, 82,000 in Bageshwar, 2.27 lakh in Champawat and 2.50 lakh in Udham Singh Nagar.
Availability of better tourism facilities
This disparity in the number of tourists is mainly due to the prominence of religious places in Garhwal division and the availability of better tourism facilities. Apart from this, along with religious tourism, natural tourism is also more developed in Garhwal. Business is growing in Garhwal division due to the high number of tourists. Local people are also getting employment opportunities from tourism.
Tourism department is making efforts to promote tourism in Kumaon division
On the other hand, despite the presence of Nainital and some other hill stations in Kumaon division, tourism has registered relatively low numbers. Despite this disparity, the tourism department is working on various schemes to promote tourism in Kumaon division as well, so that the number of tourists can be increased there and the local economy can be boosted.
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