**Foreign Visitors to Kashi Rise 120 Times in 3 Years**
*By Snehil Singh | Oct 06, 2025, 05:54 pm*
Varanasi, also known as Kashi and famously described by Mark Twain as “older than history,” has witnessed an unprecedented surge in tourism over the past three years. Both domestic and international tourists are flocking to this ancient city in record numbers, turning it into one of India’s premier tourist destinations.
According to official data from the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department and the Ministry of Tourism, over 11 crore tourists visited Kashi in 2024 alone. This represents an 18.7% increase compared to 2023, signaling robust growth in the sector.
### Foreign Tourist Arrivals Skyrocket
The most striking trend has been the explosion in foreign tourist visits. Since 2021, foreign arrivals have increased by a staggering 120 times. In 2021, Kashi welcomed only 2,566 foreign tourists. This number jumped to 83,741 in 2022 and soared further to over three lakh (3,09,932) in 2024. Remarkably, by June 2025, nearly two lakh (1,87,922) foreign tourists had already visited the city.
### Domestic Tourism Also Booming
Domestic tourism has also seen phenomenal growth. In 2021, domestic visitors numbered around 30.7 lakh. That figure surged to over 10 crore (10.97 crore) in 2024. Impressively, in the first half of 2025 alone, more than 12 crore (12.96 crore) domestic tourists visited Varanasi. These figures place Kashi ahead of other popular Indian tourist spots like Goa and Shimla.
### Driving Factors: Infrastructure and Cultural Revival
This remarkable tourism boom can be attributed to a strategic blend of cultural revival and extensive infrastructure development. The inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in 2021 significantly enhanced the spiritual experience for pilgrims. The corridor introduced modern amenities, improved crowd management, and better accessibility, reshaping the city’s landscape.
Uttar Pradesh Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh noted, “The government’s sustained focus on branding Varanasi as a global spiritual and cultural hub has paid off.”
### Economic Impact
The tourism surge is positively impacting the local economy by creating numerous employment opportunities in sectors such as hospitality, travel, transportation, and street vending. Government initiatives like Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD have further strengthened tourism infrastructure, supporting sustainable growth.
### A Cleaner, Safer, and More Beautiful Destination
Experts believe Varanasi’s success stems from its unique blend of rich heritage and modernization. The city now offers an authentic cultural experience coupled with world-class amenities. Improvements in sanitation, riverfront beautification, smart city projects, and round-the-clock security have made Kashi a cleaner, safer, and more attractive destination for visitors.
Tour operators report high occupancy rates year-round, with international tourists often extending their stays to explore nearby attractions such as Sarnath and Mirzapur.
With tourism numbers continuing to surge, Varanasi is firmly establishing itself as a must-visit spiritual and cultural destination on the global map.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/foreign-visitors-to-kashi-rise-120-times-in-3-years/story
