my uttarakhand news Bureau
Dehradun, 3 Feb: Uttarakhand has achieved a major milestone in tourism under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, as the state has recorded an unprecedented surge in tourist arrivals. For the first time since the formation of the state, the annual number of tourists and pilgrims has crossed the six crores mark, setting a new record. In the year 2025, more than 6.03 crore tourists visited Uttarakhand, the highest figure ever recorded in course of one year.
Haridwar emerged as the most visited destination in the state, receiving the maximum number of tourists and pilgrims at 3.42 crores. Dehradun followed with a footfall of 67.35 lakhs while Tehri district recorded the arrival of 53.29 lakhs of tourists during the same period.
The government has claimed that tourism in Uttarakhand has gained fresh momentum under the leadership of Pushkar Singh Dhami, with several important initiatives having been launched to strengthen the tourism sector. Alongside the implementation of new tourism development schemes, special emphasis has been laid on improving basic infrastructure at major tourist and pilgrimage destinations. Ensuring the safety of tourists and pilgrims has been accorded the highest priority, with comprehensive security arrangements being put in place. These sustained efforts of the Dhami government have resulted in a steady and continuous rise in tourist inflow across the state.
According to the Tourism Department, a total of six crore three lakh twenty-one thousand one hundred ninety-four tourists and pilgrims visited Uttarakhand in 2025. This figure includes 1.925 lakh foreign tourists. Notably, this is the first time since the creation of Uttarakhand that the total number of tourists and pilgrims has exceeded six crores. A look at previous years’ data shows that two lakh eighteen thousand one hundred fifteen tourists visited the state in 2021, followed by five crore thirty-nine lakh eighty-one thousand three hundred thirty-eight in 2022, five crore ninety-six lakh thirty-six thousand six hundred one in 2023, and five crore ninety-five lakh fifty thousand two hundred seventy-seven in 2024.
Commenting on the development, CM Dhami said that tourism forms a major pillar of Uttarakhand’s economy and the state government is actively promoting tourism activities throughout the year to ensure that local residents and youth associated with the tourism sector get employment opportunities round the year. He said the winter pilgrimage initiative is an important part of this strategy. Following the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Mukhba, the winter abode of Maa Ganga, winter pilgrimage tourism in the state has received a significant boost, resulting in the arrival of a large number of pilgrims in Uttarakhand. He added that along with enhancing tourist facilities, the government has given top priority to tourist safety, and it is the cumulative outcome of these efforts that the number of tourists visiting Uttarakhand is setting new records year after year.
Dhami said that the government remains committed to strengthening tourism as a driver of economic growth while ensuring safety, sustainability and inclusive development across the state.