On 27th September 2022 (World Tourism Day), Indian Government released Tourism Statistics Report 2022 (2021-22).
The report revealed the top 10 tourist places in India (10 most popular centrally protected ticketed monuments - Domestic and Foreign) .
An attempt is made to compare the statistics 2022 (2021-22) vis-à-vis 2012 (2011-12) . The list is tabulated below:
Domestic Visitors:
|
Place |
Rank |
2021-22 |
Rank |
2011-12 |
|
Taj Mahal |
1 |
32,94,611 |
1 |
46,46,203 |
|
Red Fort |
2 |
13,23,501 |
3 |
26,15,976 |
|
Qutub Minar |
3 |
11,57,664 |
2 |
29,80,415 |
|
Mamallapuram |
4 |
11,42,150 |
- |
- |
|
Agra Fort |
5 |
10,27,462 |
5 |
16,05,432 |
|
Golkonda Fort |
6 |
9,46,972
|
6 |
14,83,333 |
|
Sun Temple, Konark |
7 |
6,72,891
|
4 |
22,25,087 |
|
Upper Fort Aguada |
8 |
6,56,756
|
- |
- |
|
Chittorgarh Fort |
9 |
5,90,389
|
- |
- |
|
Shaniwarwada |
10 |
5,16,448
|
- |
- |
Foreign Visitors:
|
Place |
Rank |
2021-22 |
Rank |
2011-12 |
|
Mamallapuram |
1 |
1,44,984 |
9 |
74,187 |
|
Taj Mahal |
2 |
38,922 |
1 |
6,68,903 |
|
Rock Cut temple, Saluvankuppam |
3 |
25,579 |
- |
- |
|
Agra Fort |
4 |
13,598 |
3 |
3,06,097 |
|
Gingee Fort |
5 |
10,483 |
- |
- |
|
Fort Vattakottai |
6 |
9,174 |
- |
- |
|
Qutub Minar |
7 |
8,456 |
2 |
3,31,557 |
|
Fort Musuem, Thirumayam |
8 |
8,422 |
- |
- |
|
Red Fort |
9 |
5,579 |
6 |
1,60,425 |
|
Rock Cut Jain Temple, Sittanasal |
10 |
5,432 |
- |
- |
Sources:
Tourism Statistics September 2022 - Page number 163.
India Tourism Cover 29 Oct 2012 - Page number 108.
We have to remember that:
- In 2021-22 due to corona, there was a substantial drop in the foreign visitors to India.
- Above is centrally protected monuments where tickets are issued to visitors.
- Temples at Tirupati, Pandharpur, Puri and other famous ones do not issue tickets and they do not fall under centrally protected monuments. These places attract daily thousands of visitors.
Mamallapuram (Group of Temples - Pallava Dynasty) was not there in the Top 10 destination in 2011-12. However, 2021-22 it reached 4th Position in case of domestic travelers. In case of foreign tourist, it was 9th ranked in 2011-12. In 2021-22 it reached 1st Spot, dethroning Taj Mahal.
So what was the key reasons for the change:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (India) and President Xi Jinping (Chinese) met at Mamallapuram on October 11, 2019.
This was the first time a foreign dignitary visited India and they decided to meet at Tamil Nadu , Mamallapuram (near Chennai City). Previously, the foreign dignitaries visited New Delhi and the closest visit used to be Agra, Taj Mahal.
This was one of the important initiative by Prime Minister Modi to take dignitaries to other states and showcase other Indian monuments.
The result of that initiative has given excellent results in terms of visitors visiting other important monuments and not get restricted to Taj Mahal only.
There is a vey high chances that in the year 2022-23, Tourism Statistics book, Mamallapuram will not only retain the top spot in Foreign Tourist with big numbers, but will be 2nd spot among Domestic Tourist. The reason being 44th Chess Olympiad, which was held in Mahabalipuram, Chennai (July-August 2022).
India is a land of historic monuments and they all need to be showcased to the world.
This is a positive step.
