Indian tourists show strong preferences for traveling across a variety of states, driven primarily by religious, cultural, natural, and urban attractions. The majority of domestic tourism is concentrated in a few key states that consistently lead in both tourist numbers and tourism revenue.

Leading States by Indian Tourist Visits Recent data indicates that Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra consistently attract the highest number of Indian tourists. Uttar Pradesh remains the top state, followed closely by Tamil Nadu, owing to major religious, heritage, and cultural destinations���.

Other states with strong tourism numbers include Gujarat and Kerala, especially for eco-tourism and diaspora/NRI visitors��.

Most Popular Types of Destinations Religious Tourism: States like Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are prominent due to temples, spiritual circuits, and festivals that draw millions of Indian pilgrims annually��.

Heritage and Culture: Cities such as Agra, Varanasi, Madurai, and Hampi offer UNESCO World Heritage Sites and iconic cultural landmarks��.

Nature and Eco-Tourism: Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, and some Northeastern states are gaining prominence due to their focus on sustainable, nature-centric tourism, such as the backwaters in Kerala or eco-spots in Meghalaya��.

Urban and Entertainment: Major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi attract tourists for urban experiences, shopping, and entertainment��.

Trends Influencing Tourist Movement There has been a surge in nature and eco-tourism since the pandemic, with states developing better facilities for responsible travel�.

Improved infrastructure, such as new hotels and digital solutions (like tech-driven heritage experiences), has boosted numbers in major states�.

Festivals and state-driven promotions (e.g., Varanasi, Ayodhya) are significantly influencing the flow of domestic tourists to selected destinations�.

State-Wise Distribution Insights

While travel is frequent among neighboring states, Indians increasingly tour far-off states for unique experiences, such as the deserts of Rajasthan, the beaches of Goa, and Himalayan adventures in Uttarakhand and Sikkim��. Northeast destinations like Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh see growing interest among Indian tourists seeking offbeat and less-crowded spots�.

Indians’ touring patterns show a mix of religious pilgrimage, cultural heritage exploration, holiday leisure, and adventure or eco-tourism, with large numbers concentrating in a handful of top-performing states annually���.