Mongolia’s Tourism Sector
Mongolia has a rich history, culture, and varying different landscapes, a unique nomadic lifestyle which attract tourists. The tourism sector is an increasingly popular sector which suffered the most during the pandemic, however, in 2023, the tourism sector is showing signs of recovery, although it has yet to recover to its pre-pandemic levels. Although, the biggest challenge the tourism and hospitality sector face in Mongolia is the hotel and accommodation for incoming foreign tourists.
On 7 April 2022, the Parliament adopted a resolution approving the establishment of the Khushigt Valley free economic zone. As part of Vision-2050, Mongolia aims to develop the economy by supporting tourism based on the priority economic sectors and location advantages. With this goal, the Government of Mongolia submitted the draft Law on Casinos in December 2022. Currently, the draft law is under discussion by the Parliament. According to the Draft Casinos Law, casino activities will be allowed only in Khushigt Valley Free Economic Zone based on a license issued by the Government, and detailed conditions and requirements for the licenses holders are specified in the draft law.
[/vc_column_text][/tab][tab icon_family=”iconsmind” title=”Tourism Related Organizations” id=”1700715608931-0″ tab_id=”1700715608931-9″ icon_iconsmind=”iconsmind-Calendar”][vc_column_text max_width=”700px”]Tourism related organizationsMinistry of Environment and Tourism’s Department of Tourism Policy Coordination.
The Department of Tourism Policy Coordination is responsible for developing and coordinating tourism policies and programs and improving the legal environment. The Department is in charge of:
- improving the management of tourism organizations and entities,
- creating a tourism database that provides information to clients, and
- anticipating professional and methodical advice on tourism to local authorities, professional organizations, entities, public organizations and citizens.
The Department’s operation consists of assisting in decision-making related to the implementation of the Government’s policies to the Minister, Deputy Minister, and State Secretary. Also, the Department provides professional advice and information, services and comprehensive support to the Minister. The main clients of the services provided by this Department are the Minister, Deputy Minister, State Secretary, tourism organizations, and other entities. Indirect clients are the Local Self-Governing and Administrative Body, domestic and foreign organizations, entities, NGOs, and members of the public.
The main partner involved in the provision of this service is Ministries, Local Administrative Body, other relevant departments, professional unions, and entities.
Tourism Development Center
The Tourism Development Center is a State-owned organization that was established with a staff of 17 people on 4 January, 2017. However, it currently has a staff of three people because of unstable operations. It is possible to increase the center’s operations and duties, and maintain responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of policy and planning, and manage cooperation of stakeholders.
Within the framework of the Law on Tourism and other related laws, the government policies, the implementation of the tourism policies reflected in the government’s agenda, the development of eco-tourism, the optimal organization of services provided by the government, and the integrated management and organization of citizens and enterprises operating in the sector. There was a need to create an authorized organization to carry out activities aimed at creating the environment and conditions to make the tourism sector one of the leading sectors of the economy. established an industrial estate with a proprietary business account.
PURPOSE
- Increase the flow of tourists to Mongolia
- Increase the competitiveness of Mongolia’s tourism industry
- Organization of events and events according to international standards and support to enterprises (MICE)
GOAL
- Implementation of policies, programs and decisions of the central government administration in charge of tourism in the field of tourism
- Implementation of external and internal advertising and marketing activities for tourism in Mongolia
- Conduct research and analysis, organize training, and provide consulting services in the tourism industry in order to increase the capacity of the industry and human resources.
- Development of industry products and services and introduction of innovation in order to increase the competitiveness of Mongolia’s tourism industry
- Development and implementation of foreign and domestic projects in the field of tourism
- To expand cooperation between government, non-government, and private enterprises in the tourism sector, and support their activities by providing coordination
Mongolian Tourism Association
The Mongolian Tourism Association (MTA), a non-governmental umbrella association, was established in 1992 through the initiative of privately owned Mongolian tourism sector companies. Its primary goals are to serve its members and promote the development of Mongolian tourism, both domestically and internationally. As the leading professional organization in Mongolia’s tourism sector, the MTA actively represents the interests of its diverse membership and serves as a crucial coordinator between the private sector and government organizations.
Collaborating with government agencies, cultural, historical, and environmental entities, we continually strive to showcase Mongolia as a truly unique travel destination. Remarkably, statistics indicate that over 80% of leisure tourists visiting Mongolia avail themselves of the services provided by our esteemed members.
Comprising approximately 280 active members, the MTA consists of travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, airlines, and tourist camps. Additionally, we have numerous associate members from within the hospitality, transport, tourism educational and training institutions, and other tourism-related organizations. Our objective is to encourage travelers and travel planners to engage with MTA members for their travel needs. The Mongolian Tourism Association aims to represent the interests of its members both domestically and internationally.
Today, the Mongolian Tourism Association offers services and assistance to dozens of members and countless potential visitors to Mongolia.
Mongolian Hotel Association
The Mongolian Hotel Association was established in 1997. Comprising approximately 280 active members, the MTA consists of travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, airlines, and tourist camps. Additionally, we have numerous associate members from within the hospitality, transport, tourism educational and training institutions, and other tourism-related organizations. Our objective is to encourage travelers and travel planners to engage with MTA members for their travel needs. The Mongolian Tourism Association aims to represent the interests of its members both domestically and internationally.
The Mongolian Hotel Association provides professional advice on the operations of service organizations in the sector. It also:
- conducts training of service personnel,
- organizes vocational training and seminars,
- supports educational institutions,
- cooperates with stakeholders,
- develops sector’s policy and legislation reform, and
- works closely with Hotel Grading Commission and Standard Technical Committee.
Within the framework of a professional association, the Association:
- protects the interests of its members,
- comments on the effects of legislation implementation,
- creates a team to evaluate the government’s policies and legal system, and
- cooperates in improving legislation regarding the conflict resolution between business entities.
The 2023-2025 Year to Visit Mongolia
The Vision-2050 aims to support development of the tourism and hospitality sectors. Hence the Government has declared 2023-2025 years to be “Year to Visit Mongolia”. This initiative aims to attract more tourists to Mongolia and receive 1 million tourists in 2023. Within this framework, the Government of Mongolia passed the resolution to temporarily exempt citizens of 34 foreign countries from visa requirements for up to 30 days in 3 years period – until the end of 2025 for supporting tourism in Mongolia. As a result, citizens of the total 61 countries’ are exempted from visa requirements with some conditions. Please refer Appendix 3b for list of countries exempted from tourist visas. In addition to the above, the Minister of Environment and Tourism operates a website with a detailed information about Mongolia for tourists. Visit the website for more information https://www.mongoliatravel.guide/en.[/vc_column_text][/tab][/tabbed_section][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][split_line_heading animation_type=”line-reveal-by-space” font_style=”h2″ line_reveal_by_space_text_effect=”default” content_alignment=”default” mobile_content_alignment=”inherit” link_target=”_self” text_content=”News & events” max_width=”600″]News & events[/split_line_heading][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][nectar_post_grid post_type=”post” blog_category=”all” order=”DESC” orderby=”date” pagination=”none” columns=”3″ image_size=”large” image_loading=”default” animation=”fade-in-from-bottom” heading_tag=”h3″ grid_style=”mouse_follow_image” text_color=”dark” post_title_overlay=”yes” mouse_follow_image_alignment=”middle” mouse_follow_post_spacing=”45px” border_radius=”none” posts_per_page=”3″ custom_font_size=”28px”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
