Delhi's Heritage Landscape Shows Mixed Visitor Trends in 2024-25
An in-depth analysis of visitor data from Delhi's centrally protected ticketed monuments during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 financial years reveals a complex picture of heritage tourism in the national capital. While flagship historical sites like the Red Fort and Qutub Minar continued to attract substantial domestic crowds, several other monuments struggled to maintain their footfall. Interestingly, a few heritage locations emerged as significant gainers, demonstrating the evolving preferences of both Indian and international tourists.
Overall Growth with Notable Exceptions
The combined visitor numbers across Delhi's centrally protected ticketed monuments showed a steady increase, crossing 84 lakh visitors in 2024-25. This represents a 3% growth compared to the previous financial year, indicating sustained interest in the city's rich historical offerings. However, this overall positive trend masks considerable variation in performance among individual monuments.
Flagship Sites: Domestic Strength, International Shifts
The Red Fort remained one of Delhi's most-visited monuments, drawing nearly 28.8 lakh domestic visitors in 2024-25. This marked a 3.2% increase from the previous year, according to the India Tourism Data Compendium 2025. However, the iconic Mughal-era site experienced a concerning 5.8% decline in foreign tourist numbers, suggesting a potential shift in international visitor preferences toward other heritage attractions within the city.
A retired Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) official suggested that frequent events hosted at the Red Fort might be contributing to this decline. These events often require parts of the complex—and sometimes the entire monument—to remain closed for several days, potentially disrupting the tight itineraries of foreign tourists. The ASI has not provided an immediate response regarding this observed trend.
Meanwhile, Qutub Minar continued to be the primary magnet for foreign tourists, welcoming approximately 2.2 lakh international visitors, a figure that remained broadly stable year-on-year. Domestic footfall at this UNESCO World Heritage site also grew, crossing 32 lakh visitors in 2024-25, representing a 2.6% increase.
Emerging Performers and Growing Interest
Among Delhi's major historical sites, Humayun's Tomb emerged as the strongest all-round performer. The monument witnessed a sharp 13.4% rise in domestic visitors, crossing the 10 lakh mark. More impressively, foreign tourist numbers surged by 35% to reach 1.58 lakh, reflecting growing global interest in well-conserved, experience-rich heritage spaces that offer more than just historical viewing.
The Hauz Khas Complex, a medieval heritage precinct in south Delhi, also demonstrated remarkable growth, albeit from a smaller visitor base. This site recorded a 32% increase in domestic visitors and a 27% rise in foreign tourists, highlighting its popularity among younger travelers, weekend tourists, and urban explorers drawn to open, accessible heritage spaces that blend history with contemporary culture.
Among mid-sized attractions, Jantar Mantar recorded steady gains, with domestic visitors increasing by 5.7% and foreign tourists rising by nearly 20% in 2024-25. This points to renewed curiosity in Delhi's scientific and astronomical heritage, suggesting that specialized historical narratives can attract dedicated visitor interest.
Struggling Monuments and Declining Footfall
In contrast to these success stories, several monuments recorded significant declines in visitor numbers. Purana Qila experienced one of the sharpest drops, with domestic visits falling from 2.6 lakh in 2023 to 1.9 lakh in 2024. Foreign footfall at this site also declined by 7.3%, indicating broader challenges in attracting both visitor segments.
Tughlaqabad Fort saw an even more pronounced slide, with domestic tourist numbers declining by 12.6% and foreign visitors dropping by 23%. Safdarjung Tomb and Kotla Firoz Shah also continued to lose visitors in both categories, suggesting that these sites may be losing out to better-marketed or more visitor-friendly monuments that offer enhanced experiences.
Lesser-Known Sites Show Potential with Modest Improvements
The data reveals that even modest improvements can significantly impact footfall at lesser-known heritage sites. Sultan Garhi Tomb in Vasant Kunj witnessed an extraordinary over 400% jump in domestic visitors, while Khan-i-Khana recorded a 67% rise in foreign tourists, even as domestic numbers dipped slightly. An official familiar with the trends noted that "even modest improvements in awareness or access can significantly alter footfall at lesser-known sites," highlighting the potential for targeted interventions.
Expert Analysis: Multiple Factors Behind Uneven Trends
P P Khanna, a member of the Indian Association of Tour Operators, attributed the uneven visitor trends to multiple factors. He pointed to a growing perception of Delhi as primarily a transit city for foreign tourists. "Many international visitors land in Delhi but spend limited time here before moving on to destinations like Agra and Jaipur, which have adopted far more aggressive tourism marketing strategies," Khanna explained.
He further noted that Delhi's air pollution and traffic congestion also discourage foreign tourists from extending their stay in the capital, pushing them toward other heritage destinations that offer better environmental conditions and more streamlined visitor experiences.
Government Response: Digital Storytelling and Destination Branding
In response to these challenges, the Delhi government is planning to sharpen its focus on digital storytelling and data-backed destination branding. The strategy includes creating short Instagram reels, visitor-friendly content, and comprehensive marketing campaigns aimed at attracting more tourists and competing effectively with Jaipur, Agra, and other global heritage cities.
The Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation has outlined a detailed plan to this end, establishing a framework that aligns the city's tourism narrative with evolving travel trends. Recently, the corporation invited bids to engage a private agency for this comprehensive exercise.
An official involved in the initiative explained: "The communication agency, which will be selected, will integrate market research, strategy, and digital asset management under one umbrella. The outreach will aim at converting curiosity into actual visits, while also covering print, television, and outdoor campaigns to create a holistic promotional approach."
This multi-pronged strategy represents Delhi's attempt to not only showcase its historical treasures but also address the practical concerns that may be diverting tourist attention to competing destinations. By leveraging digital platforms and data-driven insights, authorities hope to create a more compelling narrative around Delhi's diverse heritage offerings.
