Government Plans Year-Round Tourism Opportunities and Youth Housing Initiatives
At its regular meeting on November 27, 2024, the Mongolian Government reviewed and resolved several key policies, focusing on youth support, agricultural resilience, and enhancing tourism accessibility.
Youth Development and Housing Policies for 2025
The Government has declared 2025 as the Year of Supporting Youth, prioritizing their development and addressing housing challenges for young families. Ch. Nomin, Minister of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth, alongside L. Enkh-Amgalan, Minister of Family, Labor, and Social Protection, presented strategies for these initiatives.
The current mortgage loan program, active since 2013, faces challenges including a backlog of applications spanning over two years, high housing demand, and limited supply. To address these, the Government proposed:
- Financing 50% of down payments through the Loan Guarantee Fund.
- Establishing Housing Down Payment Deposit Accounts in banks to encourage young families to save for housing.
- Drafting the “Strategic Plan for Supporting Youth Development 2025–2029” for approval in upcoming meetings.
Winter and Spring Agricultural Preparedness
The agricultural sector’s readiness for the 2024-2025 winter and spring seasons was assessed by J. Enkhbayar, Minister of Food, Agriculture, and Light Industry. Key directives included:
- Ensuring adequate hay and fodder reserves for herders.
- Supporting importation of animal feed and preventing road closures due to harsh winters.
- Improving the mechanization and storage conditions for crops.
- Enhancing collaboration between agriculture, animal husbandry, and processing industries.
Preparations for winter and spring are reportedly 90% complete nationwide, with focus on herders’ welfare and maintaining soil fertility.
Tourism: Expanding Opportunities Across All Seasons
In an effort to attract tourists year-round, the Government issued a resolution targeting tourism growth through strategic measures:
- Reduced Airfares and Increased Domestic Flights
- Investigating the reduction of air ticket prices by 40% during off-peak seasons.
- Enhancing domestic flight frequency to align with weekend tourism demands.
- Airport and Border Enhancements
- Upgrading airports in Khovd, Muron, Dalanzadgad, and others to higher categories.
- Beginning construction of 4C-category airports in Altai Tavanbogd and Buir Nuur regions.
- Streamlining border crossings with on-the-spot short-term visa issuance and special gates for group tourists.
- Cultural and Seasonal Events
- Hosting international-level festivals like the “Blue Pearl” Ice Festival, “Nomad Winter”, and “Talyn Tuun Adoo” to boost winter tourism.
- Infrastructure and Accessibility
- Building sanitary facilities for tourists to meet international standards.
- Extending operational hours at major ports to support weekend tourism.
Additionally, the Government plans to extend visa exemptions for South Korean tourists and expand visa-free entry to more countries.
These initiatives showcase the Government’s commitment to fostering a supportive environment for Mongolia’s youth and promoting tourism as a year-round economic driver. By addressing housing shortages, ensuring agricultural resilience, and enhancing tourism infrastructure, Mongolia is poised for sustainable growth in 2025 and beyond.
