Ulaanbaatar, May 20, 2025 /MONTSAME/. Mongolia is hosting the 19th UN Tourism Asia Pacific Executive Training Programme on Tourism Policy and Strategy for the first time on May 19-22, 2025.

Mongolia’s “Vision 2050” long-term policy reflects the goal of developing tourism as one of the leading sectors of the economy. The Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth, in collaboration with the United Nations World Tourism Organization, is organizing this Training Programme to promote regional cooperation, exchange international experiences, and introduce the principles of innovation and sustainable development into its policies and activities. This year's Training Programme features the theme “Tourism and Culture.”

Head of the Department of Tourism Policy Implementation Coordination of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth Bolormaa Nanzad said, "Our country is one of the few countries in the region that is not only distinguished by its nomadic culture but also preserves it in its true sense. We are organizing this Training Programme to promote our unique culture and attract tourists. We mainly invited those who formulate policies and strategies. So, the participants will determine the cultural differences and similarities and reflect them in their cultural tourism concept based on the knowledge and experience gained from the training. Mongolia has great potential to develop cultural tourism. It is also vital to spread and promote our culture online, especially to create content that introduces four-season tourism. To do this, we will collaborate with the digital sector and the media."

Tourism executives from more than 20 countries, including the Republic of Korea, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and the Republic of Maldives, are participating in the Programme.

Deputy Director General at the Ministry of Tourism and Environment of the Maldives Ali Shinan said, "The Maldives defined its tourism policy in 1972 and adheres to a policy that ensures sustainable development. Our country has more than 1,000 islands, of which more than 200 are uninhabited. We rely on these islands to develop our tourism industry and offer tourists a variety of interesting tours. We implement a tourism policy that ensures sustainable development, and we are willing to share this experience with other countries. However, we have been implementing a cultural tourism policy since 2009. We organize cultural festivals that showcase food and lifestyles on densely populated islands. We have a consulate that focuses on how to connect culture to the tourism industry. Through this, we are developing cultural tourism."

Mongolia received around 808 thousand tourists in 2024 and set the goal to increase the number of tourists to two million by 2030, generating USD 3-4 billion to the economy, and making up 10 percent of the national GDP.

Minister of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth Nomin Chinbat said, "We have defined Mongolia's medium-term tourism strategy in cooperation with the world's largest tourism policy-making body. We are working to present it to the tourism businesses within this month. To develop the industry, we need to empower human resources and increase the number of flights. It is also important to make the camps, hotels, and restaurants where tourists stay as comfortable as possible, and even our citizens should be friendlier. Only then will our tourism industry be recognized internationally. In addition, a center will be established to empower employees working in this sector."