India’s Most-Visited States In 2024-25: Tourism Rankings Revealed

India’s tourism industry has witnessed remarkable growth in 2024-25, with domestic travel surging across cultural, spiritual, and leisure destinations. According to the India Tourism Data Compendium 2025, domestic tourist visits rose to 2,948.19 million, reflecting a CAGR of nearly 9.9% since 2011. The rankings highlight how heritage, pilgrimage, and modern attractions continue to drive India’s tourism economy.  

Key highlights from the announcement include 

• Uttar Pradesh topped the list with 646.8 million visitors, accounting for 21.94% of India’s total domestic tourism share.  
• Tamil Nadu ranked second, driven by temple tourism, coastal attractions, and cultural heritage.  
• Maharashtra secured third place, with Mumbai, Pune, and Ajanta-Ellora caves attracting millions.  
• Andhra Pradesh followed, boosted by Tirupati temple visits and coastal tourism.  
• Rajasthan rounded out the top five, with Jaipur, Udaipur, and desert circuits remaining popular among travelers.  
• The top five states together contributed 60.38% of total domestic tourist visits in 2024-25.  
• North Indian states including Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand also featured in the top ten, reflecting strong demand for hill tourism.  
• The surge in domestic tourism is attributed to improved infrastructure, government campaigns like Dekho Apna Desh, and rising disposable incomes.  
• Experts note that spiritual tourism, heritage circuits, and experiential travel are key drivers of growth.  

This record-breaking performance underscores India’s evolving tourism landscape, where both traditional pilgrimage destinations and modern leisure hubs are thriving. With Uttar Pradesh leading the charts and southern states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh maintaining strong appeal, India’s tourism sector is poised for continued expansion, contributing significantly to the economy and employment.  

Sources: NDTV Travel, Indian Express, Jagran