Mongolia aims to boost tourism contribution to GDP by 10% by 2030

Mongolia, a landlocked Asian country, has set an ambitious goal to increase its tourism sector's contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) to 10% by the year 2030. This plan is aimed at attracting 2 million annual tourists, which is forecasted to result in a $4 billion impact on the economy. Currently, international tourism accounts for only 3% to 4% of Mongolia's GDP, with an influx of approximately 808,000 visitors recorded in 2024. Officials, including Nomin Chinbat, Mongolia's minister of culture, sports, tourism, and youth, recognize the growing interest in Mongolia, particularly among adventure and culture-seeking tourists. The minister noted the significance of United Airlines’ inaugural flight to Mongolia as a critical development for this goal. The first flight, which arrived from the U.S., marks a pivotal moment in connecting Mongolia to North America. Such increased connectivity is expected to significantly boost visitor numbers from the U.S., which saw over 22,000 tourists last year. The government has also partnered with the Boston Consulting Group to strategically enhance the country’s tourism infrastructure, which is deemed essential to achieving their tourist attraction objectives. With ongoing efforts to develop roads, hotels, and camps, funding of around $4 billion is necessary to support these enhancements. The government is facilitating this investment through low-rate, long-term loans aimed at both public and private entities. Such infrastructure development is crucial, not only for accommodating the anticipated rise in visitors but also for ensuring sustainable growth in the tourism sector. Sustainably managing natural resources while ensuring that local communities benefit from tourism is a significant challenge that the nation must address as it strives to grow its economy through the tourism industry.