Tourism in Mongolia

Mongolia is a unique and relatively unexplored travel destination that offers a great combination of scenic natural features, a wide variety of untouched landscapes including vast open spaces, pale ontologi-cal and historical heritage areas, and nomadic life style and culture. Accordingly, the Government of Mongolia has recognized tourism as a priority sector with great potential to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country. One of these steps was the approval of the "Basic Guidelines for the Development of Tourism in Mongolia for the period of 1995-2005" and the "Implementation plan from 1995 to 1996" both adopted by Government Resolution No. 167 with the aim of developing the tourism sector based on state planning and regulation. The implementation of "Development of Tourism in Mongolia" Project during 1998-1999 within the framework of the EU supported TACIS program has resulted in initiation of restructuring efforts of the sector and the establishment of the Tourism Board as a government implementing agency. Moreover, it facilitated the formation of a legal framework for the development of tourism industry in Mongolia. Additionally, the development vision and strategies of the tourism sector up to the year 2015 were formulated, and the specific priority programs and projects were identified based on the "Master Plan on National Tourism Development in Mongolia", which was developed with assistance of Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA). As MPRP, a ruling political party in Mongolia, has declared the tourism sector a priority sector of the economy, the Government initiates a broader range of measures and promises to provide a sufficient support to promote the tourism industry in Mongolia. Therefore, the Government Action Plan for 2000-2004 and Basic Guidelines for Socio-economic Development have included a specific set of measures to promote tourism and to implement the Tourism Law.

 

 
The Tourism Law of Mongolia was enacted in May 5, 2000 for the first time, since Mongolia shifted to the market oriented economy. Its purpose is to regulate all relationships between state, private citizens and economic entities engaged in tourism business. The law outlines a definition for tourism, responsibilities and obligations of the state, tourism organizations, special permission requirements, structure, rights and responsibilities of state administrative and overseeing organizations for the tourism sector, arrangements for the development of tourism related infrastructure and penalties in case of violation of the law. The tourism Law was then amended in November 30, 2001 by enacting the classifications and grading of tour guides, operators and hotels as mandatory. The Government explains that these regulations are necessary to improve the quality of services provided by tourism and related entities. In connection with this law, several regulations were adopted including the following: "State Monitoring Regulation for Tourism" by the Government Resolution dated November 8, 2000. "Regulation of Classification and Grading of Tour Guides" by the Order No. 149 of Minister of Infrastructure dated on May 15, 2002. "Regulation of Classification and Grading of Hotels and Tourist Camps" by the Order No. 150 of Minister of Infrastructure dated May 15, 2002. "Temporary Regulation of Classification of Tour Operators" by the Order No.229 of Minister of Infrastructure dated July 31, 2002.

  The attractions and activities for tourists in Mongolia relate to the natural environment, historic features and cultural heritage. Mongolia has diverse and distinctive vegetation and fauna including some rare species such as the Argali Sheep, Przewalski Horse, Asiatic wild ass, wild Bactrian camels, snow leopard and ibex. The remains of dinosaurs have been found in the Gobi desert. The historic heritage of Mongolia is mainly related to Chinggis Khaan, the warrior-statesman, who in the 13th century, united the Mongolian people into a strong nation that controlled much of Asia. The traditional nomadic way of life, based on livestock raising and living in traditional gers, is of great interest to overseas visitors. The two major public holidays are Naadam, a traditional festival celebrated each summer and displays three types of traditional games: horse racing, wrestling and archery, and the Tsagaan Sar, the Mongolian Lunar New Year, which marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. These two festivals are the most visited events by tourists.