Mongolia hoping to see a resurgence in tourism with its new "Welcome to MonGOlia" campaign. Following the collapse of its tourism sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the nation managed to see a 25% rise in foreign visitors in the first seven months of this year as compared to last year, reaching 437,000 tourists. But the government isn't tracking to hit its goal of 1 million annual visitors from 2023-2025.
To try to get those numbers up, the government has expanded the number of flights and made the visa process easier, including by offering visa-free visits for many countries. Although Mongolia boasts breathtaking landscapes and cultural attractions, including horseback trips and stays in traditional gers, challenges remain. The country's tourism infrastructure is still developing, with limited accommodations and a shortage of skilled labor in some regions.
Recognition from Lonely Planet as a top destination and the pope's recent visit have brought more attention to Mongolia. Traditional practices like reindeer sledding and camel rides, as well as modern attractions such as the folk-metal band The Hu reflect its blend of ancient and contemporary appeal. Tourist Michael John noted it was "a great opportunity to learn more," about the history and traditions of Mongolia. Despite logistical issues like waterlogged steppes and scarce English signage, visitors like Dutch tourist Jasper Koning was impressed: "The weather is super, the scenery is more than super, it's clean, the people are friendly." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
,
uBlock 
,
and
Ghostery 
)
