Mongolia stands today as an extraordinary destination, far removed from the mass tourism that defines much of continental Asia. Since the country's opening in 1990, Mongolia has continued to captivate travelers from around the world with its breathtaking natural landscapes and living nomadic culture that remains deeply rooted in everyday life. Choosing Mongolia for your next journey means opting for vast steppes, dense forests, high-altitude lakes, the Gobi Desert, and most importantly, unforgettable encounters !

But what exactly is the state of tourism in Mongolia? From the 1990s through the 2005–2010 period, visitor numbers surged dramatically, bolstered by the Mongolian government's commitment to sustaining this thriving sector while preserving its lands and traditions. Over the past decade, Mongolia has settled into a steady rhythm, with stable figures showing approximately 400,000 foreign arrivals annually (an estimated 150,000 to 180,000 visiting purely for tourism). French visitors number between 8,000 and 10,000 per year.

Mongolia: A Premier Destination for Travelers

Since the democratic revolution of 1990, Mongolia has experienced remarkable growth in tourism. This can be attributed to its rich and varied natural landscapes and well-preserved ancestral traditions. With a population of just 3 million inhabitants spread across 1.566 million square kilometers (by comparison, France has over 66 million inhabitants in 643,601 square kilometers), Mongolia boasts a landscape where wilderness still reigns supreme.

Mongolian traditions and nomadic peoples add to the extensive list of attractions drawing visitors to the Land of the Eternal Blue Sky. The destination's authenticity promises far more than a simple vacation—it represents a unique life experience for travelers increasingly seeking to return to basics and step outside their comfort zones.

From the renowned Gobi Desert to the magnificent Orkhon Valley, alongside numerous national parks such as Khövsgöl and Khorgo–Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur, Mongolia delivers breathtaking vistas. Activities here are endless and cater to every type of adventurer: trekking and horseback riding, camel expeditions, canoeing, fishing, and more.

Explore all our tours: Authentic Circuits in Mongolia.

Mongolian Tourism Development: A Strategy Built on Openness

Before 1990, Mongolia had only a single state-run tourism agency that also controlled all travel movements. To advance the tourism sector—recognized as an excellent pathway to opening the country to the world—Mongolia sought foreign investment. While today there are over 400 travel agencies, more than 320 hotels, and over 315 tourism complexes and camping grounds, tourism here remains relatively young.

Initially supported by the European Union, Japan now leads investment efforts to establish Mongolia as a premier destination for travelers worldwide. The government typically facilitates travel agency creation by offering tax exemptions of up to 10% when investments support the development of quality hotels and ger camps.

Mongolian Tourism by the Numbers

For a comprehensive overview of the state of tourism in Mongolia, here are key statistics:

Number of tourists visiting Mongolia:

• In 2000: 137,000

• In 2004: 300,000

• In 2007: 450,000

• In 2008: 446,000

• In 2009: 411,000

Source: Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Mongolia)

• In 2015: 386,000

• In 2016: 404,000

Source: Knoema (https://knoema.com/atlas/Mongolia/Number-of-arrivals)

Tourism revenue in Mongolia (in US dollars):

• In 2005: $203,000,000

• In 2007: $349,000,000

• In 2008: $272,000,000

• In 2009: $253,000,000

• In 2015: $279,000,000

• In 2016: $379,000,000

Source: Knoema (https://knoema.com/atlas/Mongolia/Tourism-revenue)

Average length of stay and revenue per visitor:

• Average stay duration: 12 days

• Revenue per person per day: $106 USD

• Revenue per person per stay: $1,272 USD

• Revenue from international tourists using package tour services (through a travel agency): average trip package of $2,280 USD

Total number of employees in Mongolia's tourism sector:

• More than 12,000 employees, including 214 certified interpreter guides

Percentage of foreign workers in Mongolia's tourism sector:

• 23.8% Korean

• 11.3% Chinese

• 10% Japanese

• 7.8% North American

• 6.3% German

• 4.5% French

• 3.1% Russian

• 33.2% distributed across the rest of the world (primarily from geographically close Asian countries or Western European nations)

Tourism infrastructure in Mongolia:

• More than 400 travel agencies

• More than 320 hotels

• More than 315 tourism complexes and camping grounds

• More than 220 equipped ger camps

2018 Figures for Horseback Mongolia

Your English-speaking travel agency Horseback Adventure Mongolia is proud to be the leading English-speaking travel agency in Mongolia.

Number of satisfied clients in 2018: 2,000

Number of departures: 450

Number of guides employed in 2018: 77