In June, Mongolia officially re-opened its borders and starting international flights to over 10 countries including the USA, Turkey, Brazil, Thailand, Greece, India and Australia thus allowing international arrivals.

Mongolia attracted 27,400 foreign visitors during the first three quarters of 2021, down 54.7 percent from the same period last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most foreign arrivals came from China, Russia and South Korea during the January-September period this year.

As early as 27 January 2020, Mongolia closed its borders with China, only four days after Chinese authorities locked down Wuhan. By the time it recorded its first case on 10 March 2020, and as the WHO declared a global pandemic, Mongolia was already shut off from the world. As a result of its prompt response to the risk, and the government’s readiness to introduce unpopular – yet effective measures – the country if 3.3 million was able to prevent local transmission until November 2020. Due to border closures, tourism has been among the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic.