By In Ayodhya, the grand inauguration of the Ram Mandir by Prime Minister Modi has sparked a surge in demand for hotels. With the temple now accessible to devotees from all corners of the country, pilgrims are flocking to witness Lord Ram in Ayodhya. Consequently, the number of devotees visiting Ayodhya has been increasing, leading to a rise in the establishment of hotels to accommodate them. Many major hotel chains are making arrangements to set up their hotels in Ayodhya, foreseeing the potential for tourism development.
The construction of the Ram Mandir has created an opportunity for an estimated 10.61 crore tourists to visit by 2031, according to various surveys. As a result, there has been a significant increase in the demand for hotels. Recognizing the economic potential, the hotel industry is proactively preparing to capitalize on this surge in tourism.
However, in terms of economic development, only two branded hotels have been established in Ayodhya prior to the inauguration of the Ram Mandir. Large organizations have either entered into agreements or initiated discussions on investing in Ayodhya. Consequently, their hotels are expected to be operational within three to five years. According to hotel management consultancy, this development will transform Ayodhya into a major hub for the hotel industry.
Moreover, the Ministry of Tourism has reported significant revenue generation, approximately around 1.3 lakh crores annually (16 billion dollars) from spiritual centers such as Varanasi, Rishikesh, Katra, Haridwar, Tirupati, and Dwarka. This indicates a substantial increase in annual revenue across India.
The cancellation of the planned development of other major pilgrimage sites like Shabarimala has led to a limited time frame for the exclusive development of Ayodhya. The Ayodhya tourism sector, which started with the annual Deepotsav festival in 2017, witnessed a significant boost after the Supreme Court’s verdict in 2019. In 2023, three crore tourists visited Ayodhya, and it is estimated that by 2031, Ayodhya will attract three million tourists per day, as per the Ministry of Tourism
