Mongolia attracts the majority of its tourists during the warmer months of summer and autumn, with winter accounting for only 23 percent of foreign visitors. The country’s harsh winters, recognized as some of the coldest globally, contribute to this seasonal trend. Despite a reduction in visitor numbers from October, winter offers unique attractions including the snow festival, ice festival, and eagle festival.
Winter Events in 2024:
- “Winterland 2024 – Frost of Tamir”: This winter travel program in Arkhangai province featured various small events and is set to return this year after successfully attracting over 30,000 tourists last winter.
- “Mongolian Camel Festival”
- “Festival of a Thousand Camels”
- “Blue Pearl” Ice Festival
- “Festival of Reindeer and Snow”
- “Khuvsgul Trophy”: An international competition for ice fishing
- Ice Fishing World Cup
While these winter events generate tourist interest, their short duration and remote locations can pose challenges for visitors.
Travelers arriving by plane typically spend between $1,593 and $2,500 on their trip, while those from bordering regions spend around $600. In 2023, Mongolia welcomed over 650,000 tourists, generating $1 billion in revenue—a remarkable 100% increase compared to 2022. As of 2024, the country has already seen 800,103 visitors.
Top 10 Countries Contributing to Tourism in 2024:
- China – 217,712
- Russia – 213,231
- South Korea – 193,019
- Japan – 25,643
- Kazakhstan – 24,237
- United States – 16,368
- Taiwan – 12,334
- Germany – 12,134
- Turkey – 7,755
- France – 6,777
