UP govt eyes Gautam Buddh Nagar as next big ‘urban tourism’ hub. Here’s the plan

According to officials, the state government’s proposal envisions Gautam Buddha Nagar as a vibrant MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) hub, complemented by medical and hospitality tourism, and featuring a one-of-its-kind “Climate Change Museum” near the Okhla Bird Sanctuary.

As per the detailed plan, the state aims to develop a hospitality hub spread over nearly 100 acres near Noida’s IT City through private sector participation. The proposal also includes the promotion of medical tourism by expanding high-quality health and wellness facilities, along with the construction of a state-of-the-art convention centre with a capacity of around 1,000 people to host conferences, exhibitions, and public awareness programmes.

The proposed ‘Climate Change Museum’ would offer an immersive experience for visitors, while the Okhla Bird Sanctuary would be further developed as part of the broader urban and ecological tourism circuit.

Officials said the government intends to leverage the district’s proximity and excellent connectivity with the National Capital Region (NCR) to promote a new dimension of tourism, distinct from Uttar Pradesh’s well-known religious and spiritual circuits.

Besides Gautam Buddha Nagar, the state government has also prepared proposals for Kalinjar Fort and Siddharthnagar (for Buddhist tourism) under the ‘One State, One Global Destination’ project. However, the government plans to prioritize Gautam Buddha Nagar in the first phase to showcase the state’s potential in urban tourism.

“Uttar Pradesh has already established itself as a leading spiritual tourism hub and now aims to expand into modern and urban tourism to make the state a comprehensive destination for every traveller,” said Amrit Abhijat, Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture.

“Our proposal for Gautam Buddha Nagar truly reflects a new Uttar Pradesh ready to welcome the world,” said Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh.