Overview

The independent research firm Liases Foras released a report titled Ayodhya 2.0: Faith, Tourism and the New Investment Capital, documenting a dramatic rise in pilgrim and tourist footfall after the consecration of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir on 22 January 2024. The city recorded approximately 300 million visitors in 2025, up from around 6 million in 2020 and 164 million in 2024.

Visitor Economy Growth

Visitor stays have lengthened to an average of 2–4 days, with the report projecting stays of 5–7 days by 2030‑2035 as spiritual circuits, cultural tourism, wellness, festivals and river‑front activities expand. Daily earnings of small shopkeepers rose from ₹400‑₹500 to about ₹2,500, generating an estimated additional GST revenue of ₹400 crore annually.

Infrastructure Investment

The Ayodhya Development Authority’s Master Plan 2031 earmarks a total outlay of ₹85,000 crore for infrastructure, including airport and rail expansion, road networks, the Sarayu riverfront, public utilities and a 1,407‑acre New Ayodhya township. Maharishi Valmiki International Airport’s Phase II will raise annual passenger capacity to 6 million. The redeveloped Ayodhya Dham Junction can handle more than 60,000 passengers daily, while a 67‑km Ayodhya Ring Road and a ₹12,000 crore NHAI regional road‑widening programme aim to improve intra‑city and regional connectivity.

Real Estate and Hospitality Development

More than 50 major hotel projects are under construction, featuring brands such as Taj, Marriott, Radisson, Oberoi, Leela and Ginger, adding to an existing organised hotel inventory of roughly 1,200 rooms. Land prices have risen 25%‑40% city‑wide since 2019, with parcels adjacent to the Ram Mandir appreciating 5‑10 times. Prime‑corridor rates are projected to reach about ₹37,300 per sq ft by 2031, representing a 2.5‑fold increase over the next five years. The report notes the emergence of second‑homes, branded residences, and wellness‑focused developments as visitor stays extend beyond single‑day pilgrimages.

Employment and Economic Contribution

Since 2024, more than 1.2 lakh jobs have been created across hospitality, retail and construction sectors. Ayodhya’s tourism economy is estimated to contribute roughly 1.5% of Uttar Pradesh’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).

Outlook to 2035

The study expects the city’s tourism economy to continue diversifying, with repeat visitation and longer stays driving sustained demand for residential, plotted and hospitality‑led projects through 2035. Infrastructure capacity expansion and the maturing of visitor patterns are projected to shift Ayodhya from rapid, infrastructure‑led growth to a more established urban and tourism economy.

Comment from Liases Foras

"Ayodhya's tourism growth is not simply increasing visitor numbers. It is creating a wider economic base across hospitality, retail, transport and real estate," said Mr. Pankaj Kapoor, Managing Director of Liases Foras.

Availability

The full report is available on request from Liases Foras Real Estate Rating & Research Pvt. Ltd.