Beyond spiritual, UP to position itself as hub for Wellness Tourism

Uttar Pradesh Tourism has invited individuals, institutions, and entrepreneurs to establish Wellness Centres and Wellness Resorts under the state’s comprehensive Tourism Policy 2022. The initiative aims to promote holistic health, yoga, and traditional Indian systems of healing while creating new opportunities for tourism, employment, and entrepreneurship across the state.

UP Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said here on Friday that as people increasingly turn towards natural therapies and wellness-based living, Uttar Pradesh has the potential to emerge as a national hub for health and rejuvenation tourism. “Our focus is to combine Uttar Pradesh’s spiritual and cultural identity with modern wellness practices. Through this initiative, we aim to promote AYUSH-based therapies like Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy and give tourists an experience that brings peace to both body and mind,” he said.

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Under the Tourism Policy 2022, a Wellness Centre must have a minimum of five therapy rooms providing specialised AYUSH-based therapies such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy. A Wellness Resort requires a minimum of one acre of land with 20 rooms and dedicated therapy areas offering these services.

Officials here said these centres will serve visitors seeking physical healing, mental peace, and overall well-being, adding an experience-based tourism segment that focuses on mindfulness and natural living.

The policy integrates Wellness Tourism with Spiritual Circuits — destinations like Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura-Vrindavan, Chitrakoot, Sarnath, Shravasti, and Kapilvastu are identified for wellness infrastructure development and promotion of AYUSH experiences. An International Yoga Conclave will also be organised annually to position Uttar Pradesh as a global wellness destination.

Entrepreneurs setting up Wellness Centres or Resorts can avail several benefits under the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Policy 2022, including capital investment support, interest reimbursement, stamp duty exemption, waiver of land conversion and development charges, and employment-related assistance. These incentives are designed to encourage both small and large-scale investors to develop world-class wellness facilities in the state.

The initiative will open new avenues for employment in yoga training, ayurvedic therapy, naturopathy, hospitality, diet counselling, and wellness tourism management. It will also encourage the use of local herbs, organic products, and traditional healing methods rooted in Uttar Pradesh’s heritage.

Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh said that this step is part of the government’s vision to diversify Uttar Pradesh’s tourism beyond heritage and religious circuits. “We are promoting wellness tourism as a way to bring together health, culture, and livelihood. The goal is to ensure that wellness becomes an integral part of the visitor experience while creating new economic opportunities for our people,” he said.

By linking wellness, spirituality, and sustainable tourism, Uttar Pradesh is laying the foundation for a healthier and more mindful future — where visitors experience not only the beauty of the state but also the serenity and balance it inspires.