Rajasthan Welcomes Record 109 Million Tourist Visits in First Half of 2026

Rajasthan recorded a historic 109.2 million tourist visits during the first six months of 2026, with domestic travelers accounting for 108.3 million arrivals and international visitors contributing 844,696 arrivals.

JAIPUR, India — Rajasthan has solidified its standing as India’s premier heritage and cultural destination, welcoming more than 109 million tourist visits between January and June 2026. Official state tourism figures confirm a total of 10,92,04,101 tourist arrivals across the state’s historic forts, desert circuits, wildlife reserves, and spiritual centers during the first half (H1) of 2026.

Domestic travelers powered the bulk of the growth, generating 10,83,59,405 visits, while foreign travelers accounted for 8,44,696 international visits, reflecting strong demand across traditional heritage hubs and emerging regional circuits.

Domestic Tourism Dominance: Sikar and Chittorgarh Lead State Rankings

Domestic travel across Rajasthan expanded beyond traditional capital cities as tourists explored regional pilgrimage centers, desert fortresses, and heritage corridors.

Sikar emerged as the single largest domestic tourist destination in Rajasthan between January and June 2026, recording 1,56,18,987 visits. Supported by heavy religious tourism and heritage travel, Sikar outperformed all other districts statewide.

Chittorgarh ranked second in domestic arrivals with 1,33,75,121 visits, followed by the desert district of Jaisalmer with 1,18,34,038 visits.

Other major domestic travel hubs included:

• Ajmer: 99,28,270 visits
• Jaipur: 81,49,183 visits
• Karauli: 64,00,913 visits
• Sawai Madhopur: 61,88,159 visits
• Sirohi: 61,13,562 visits
• Udaipur: 47,61,432 visits
• Churu: 34,08,523 visits

Summary of Rajasthan H1 2026 District-Wise Tourist Arrival Statistics

The table below outlines the official domestic and international tourist visit figures recorded across key districts and regions in Rajasthan from January to June 2026:

District / Region	Domestic Tourist Visits (H1 2026)	International Foreign Visits (H1 2026)	Primary Tourism Appeal & Circuit
Sikar	1,56,18,987	Regional footprint	Spiritual tourism, Khatu Shyamji & Shekhawati gateway
Chittorgarh	1,33,75,121	Regional footprint	UNESCO Chittorgarh Fort & Mewar history
Jaisalmer	1,18,34,038	66,433	Thar Desert, Sonar Qila fort & sand dune camps
Ajmer	99,28,270	36,406	Ajmer Sharif Dargah & Pushkar Lake pilgrimage
Jaipur	81,49,183	2,56,293 (State #1 Foreign)	Pink City, Amber Fort & royal palaces
Karauli	64,00,913	Regional footprint	Religious tourism & Kaila Devi Temple
Sawai Madhopur	61,88,159	38,542	Ranthambore National Park wildlife & tigers
Sirohi	61,13,562	Regional footprint	Mount Abu hill station & Dilwara Jain temples
Udaipur	47,61,432	1,84,045	Lake City, City Palace & luxury heritage resorts
Churu	34,08,523	Regional footprint	Shekhawati painted havelis & desert heritage
Jodhpur	Regional footprint	82,846	Mehrangarh Fort & Marwar gateway
Pali	Regional footprint	28,982	Ranakpur Jain Temple & Marwar eco-tourism
Kota-Hadoti Region	24,00,000+ total region visits	Regional footprint	Kota, Bundi, Baran & Jhalawar heritage corridor

Jaipur and Udaipur Lead International Foreign Tourist Inflows

Global demand for Rajasthan’s royal architecture and luxury heritage experiences remained concentrated in established heritage cities.

Jaipur secured the top position among destinations visited by foreign tourists, recording 2,56,293 international visits during H1 2026. The state capital's UNESCO World Heritage status, historic palaces, and Amber Fort continued to serve as India's primary cultural attraction for overseas travelers.

Udaipur ranked second for international arrivals, recording 1,84,045 foreign visits, driven by luxury lake-palace hospitality and wedding tourism.

Jodhpur ranked third in international visitor volume with 82,846 foreign visits, followed by Jaisalmer with 66,433 foreign visits. Wildlife hub Sawai Madhopur attracted 38,542 foreign visitors, while Ajmer recorded 36,406 international arrivals. Additional international visitor inflows were logged across Dausa, Pali (28,982 foreign visits), Jhunjhunu, and Bikaner.

Kota-Hadoti and Shekhawati Lead Regional Circuit Expansion

Tourism growth across Rajasthan is increasingly expanding into lesser-known regional circuits, providing travelers with alternative heritage experiences.

The Kota-Hadoti region—encompassing Kota, Bundi, Baran, and Jhalawar—recorded more than 24 lakh (2.4 million) tourist visits between January and June 2026. The region offers stepwells, river canyons, fortresses, and ancient temple architecture.

Monthly breakdown for the Kota-Hadoti region shows peak activity in late winter:

• February: 5,14,132 visits (Peak month)
• January: 4,23,413 visits
• March: 4,11,863 visits

Concurrently, Dausa attracted travelers with its ancient stepwell architecture (such as Chand Baori in Abhaneri), while Jhunjhunu drew heritage enthusiasts to the Shekhawati region, famous for its 18th-century painted havelis.

Marwar Region Sustains Early-Year Tourism Momentum

The Marwar region—comprising Jodhpur, Pali, Barmer, Jalore, Nagaur, and Balotra—remained a core pillar of Rajasthan’s tourism economy in H1 2026.

Jodhpur served as Marwar's primary international gateway with 82,846 foreign visits, complemented by Pali’s 28,982 foreign arrivals near Ranakpur.

Across domestic circuits, January recorded the highest monthly visitor concentration in the Marwar region, benefiting from favorable winter weather and desert cultural festivals.

Why This Matters for Heritage Tourism and Regional Infrastructure in India

For domestic and international travelers, Rajasthan’s expanded tourism figures highlight the feasibility of exploring regional circuits beyond the traditional Golden Triangle (Delhi–Agra–Jaipur). High-capacity highway corridors and regional rail links enable smooth travel to emerging spots like Sikar, Dausa, and Bundi.

For India's national tourism sector, recording 109.2 million visits in a single state within six months demonstrates the economic power of heritage preservation, where historic forts, palaces, and stepwells serve as self-sustaining economic drivers for local communities.

Furthermore, dispersing visitor traffic into secondary districts like Karauli, Sirohi, and Churu mitigates overtourism in urban centers while supporting small-town hospitality employment.

Traveler Planning Guide: Exploring Rajasthan's Heritage Circuits

Travelers planning a trip to Rajasthan should follow these practical recommendations:

• Schedule Visits for Winter Months (October to March): Target early-year travel windows between November and February to enjoy ideal weather for fort exploration and desert safaris.
• Combine Golden Triangle with Regional Circuits: Pair visits to Jaipur and Amber Fort with short side trips to Dausa's stepwells or Jhunjhunu's Shekhawati havelis.
• Book Ranthambore Wildlife Safaris Early: Reserve tiger safari slots in Sawai Madhopur 60 to 90 days in advance due to high domestic and foreign demand.
• Explore Heritage Stays in Marwar: Opt for restored fort-hotels and heritage havelis in Jodhpur, Pali, and Jaisalmer for authentic regional hospitality.

FAQ

How many tourist visits did Rajasthan record in the first half of 2026?

Rajasthan recorded 10,92,04,101 (over 109 million) tourist visits between January and June 2026, comprising 10,83,59,405 domestic visits and 844,696 foreign international visits.

Which district recorded the highest domestic tourist visits in Rajasthan?

Sikar ranked #1 in domestic tourist visits across Rajasthan during H1 2026, recording 1,56,18,987 domestic arrivals.

Which city attracted the highest number of international foreign tourists?

Jaipur led the state in international tourism, recording 2,56,293 foreign tourist visits between January and June 2026, followed by Udaipur with 1,84,045 foreign visits.

What visitor volume was recorded in the Kota-Hadoti region?

The Kota-Hadoti region (Kota, Bundi, Baran, and Jhalawar) recorded over 24 lakh (2.4 million) tourist visits in H1 2026, peaking in February with 5,14,132 visits.

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