How Religious Tourism Is Reframing India’s Hospitality Pipeline
Photo Credit: Ayodhya is booming as a religious destination in India. Uttar Pradesh Tourism
Skift Take
Religious tourism is key to the travel fabric of India, but it is now also becoming a driver for premium experiences and leisure travel as Indians increasingly explore blended forms of travel.
Pilgrimage tourism emerged as a key driver of travel demand in India in the 2025 financial year, according to new data from online travel company MakeMyTrip.
Accommodation bookings across 56 pilgrimage destinations rose 19% during the year, with 34 sites recording double-digit growth. Fifteen of them grew by more than 25%, led by Prayagraj, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Puri, Amritsar, and Tirupati. Newer destinations such as Khatushyam Ji in Rajasthan, Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh, and Thiruchendur in Tamil Nadu also gained traction, pointing to what MakeMyTrip called “the widening canvas of spiritual travel in the country.”
“Pilgrimage Travel has always been part of our culture, but what we see now is its scale and consistency across the country,” said Rajesh Magow, co-founder and group CEO of MakeMyTrip. “We are seeing steady growth, fuelled by stronger connectivity and Indians across all age groups and income segments planning pilgrimage-led trips.”
