Silk Road Conference asserts Mongolia’s role in nomadic tourism development www.en.montsame.mn
Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The International Silk Road Conference of Nomadic Tourism and Sustainable Cities, co-organized by the World Tourism Organization, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Mongolia and the World Cities Scientific Development Alliance opened on October 13 at the Tuushin Hotel of Ulaanbaatar. Opening addresses were given by the Speaker of Mongolian Parliament, Mr M.Enkhbold, the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Ms D.Oyunkhorol and the Executive President of WCSDA, Mr Dong Yangzhang.
Tourism is one of the most thriving industries of economy in this era of globalization, highlighted Mr Enkhbold. The sector creates millions of jobs, incepts intangible exports and waste-free productions, encourages investments, helps eradicating poverty and ensures stable economic growth, he went on.
This is a wonderful, the most peacemaking and sharing of all economic sectors, he underlined. Nowadays, tourists tend to be attracted to getaways from their civilized lifestyles for extraordinary cultures and pristine landscapes. This is an opportunity for some nations to exploit, said the Speaker.
The Speaker shared with the gathered that the government has set a goal to become a center of nomadic tourism, set out in the Concept of Sustainable Development until 2030.
According to the latest statistics, Mongolia hosts about 400 thousand tourist each year, which results in revenue of USD 263 million or 3.2 percent of the country’s GDP and 3.6 percent of total export.
Tourism in Mongolia created 50 thousand workplaces at home and ranks 99th place in the world and 19th in Asia-Pacific by competitiveness, the Speaker mentioned in his speech.
Minister D.Oyunkhorol said Mongolia is the home to nomadic tourism. It is impossible to argue with the fact that Mongolia has played a historic role in developing one of the world’s most ancient and important trade route called the Silk Road, which bridged peoples, ethnicities and scientific inventions. I am delighted at hosting this conference at home, said the Minister.
The government has been aiming to increase the number of tourists per year to one million by 2020, and the share of tourism revenue in the GDP to eight percent, she said.
The WCSDA Executive President Dong Yangzhang stressed Mongolia is a country of ancient history and culture, rich in biological and natural resources. Today’s tourism trend is to go back to the wild, and to experience the nomadic livestock herding culture in person. The Silk Road Conference is of historical significance in making Mongolia the hub of nomadic tourism development, he said.
The International Silk Road Conference has attracted over 350 delegates from 33 countries and international tourism organizations.
Published Date:2016-10-13