PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) officials said that the State is steadily emerging as a preferred destination for foreign tourists, with visitors from countries such as Germany, France, South Korea and Spain increasingly exploring the Yoga centres, hill stations, adventure destinations and cultural attractions.
As per the official tourism data, foreign tourist arrivals in Uttarakhand have witnessed steady growth in recent years. The State received around 15,000 foreign tourists in 2021, which increased to over 64,000 in 2022, 1.48 lakh in 2023, 1.76 lakh in 2024 and 1.93 lakh in 2025.
Sharing more on this matter, the additional director, UTDB, Poonam Chand said that although the number of international visitors remains much lower than the State’s domestic tourist and pilgrim footfall, the steady rise reflects growing global interest in Uttarakhand.
“Rishikesh continues to be the biggest attraction for foreign visitors because of its Yoga centres, meditation programmes, wellness retreats and river-based activities. In 2025, the city welcomed over one lakh foreign tourists, making it the most visited destination among international travellers in the State,” she added.
Chand further said that Haridwar also receives a steady flow of foreign visitors who come to witness the Ganga Aarti and experience the city’s spiritual atmosphere. “The city recorded around 24,000 foreign tourists in 2025. Dehradun, once considered mainly a gateway to the hills, is also emerging as a destination in its own right, with more than 31,000 foreign visitors during the year,” she informed.
She also mentioned Mussoorie and Nainital, saying that they continue to attract overseas travellers because of their scenic beauty, pleasant weather and colonial-era charm. “However, the Char Dham shrines– Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri– continue to receive comparatively fewer foreign visitors as they remain primarily pilgrimage destinations for the Indian devotees,” she stated.
Asked to explain the factors contributing to the rising footfall of the foreigners, she attributed this to better road connectivity, increasing global interest in wellness tourism and growing awareness about Uttarakhand’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. “ The tourism department is also promoting lesser-known destinations, village tourism and local culture through various campaigns, events and promotional activities,” she said, adding that they
provide the same facilities to both domestic and foreign tourists while remaining focused on promoting Uttarakhand as a destination for wellness, nature, adventure and cultural tourism.
