As Mongolia gears up for its most iconic celebration, tourism industry leaders are calling on the State Committee in charge of organizing the National Naadam Festival to make the festival’s opening ceremony more accessible to foreign visitors. The request comes in light of growing frustration among international tourists who struggle to secure tickets to the highly anticipated event.

Between July 1 and 11, 2024, approximately 52,000 tourists arrived in Mongolia, many of whom specifically timed their visit to witness the grandeur of the Naadam Festival. However, limited ticket availability has meant that only a small portion of these travelers were able to attend the opening ceremony—a highlight of the celebration that blends cultural performances with pageantry and national pride.

Tourism professionals have expressed concern that ticket distribution remains heavily restricted, with the few available seats being allocated mainly to tour companies. This system has resulted in many tourists missing the ceremony altogether, despite traveling great distances for the experience. Industry representatives note that this not only diminishes visitor satisfaction but also risks tarnishing Mongolia’s reputation as a hospitable and culturally rich destination.

In response, the Tourism Professional Association has formally proposed several measures to the organizing committee. They are urging that the number of tickets designated for foreign tourists be increased to 8,436 and that ticket sales begin earlier in the season to allow visitors adequate time to plan their travel. They also stress the importance of transparency, recommending that the organizing committee publicly announce whether an evening opening ceremony will be held—something they hope will be confirmed by May 28 at the latest.

Their concerns are rooted in the experience of last year’s Naadam Festival, when only 2,200 foreign tourists were given access to the opening event. This marked a notable decline from previous years when up to 5,000 seats were made available to international guests. The reduction was partly due to the National Sports Stadium’s overall seating capacity decreasing from 12,000 to 11,000, but the tourism sector argues that such changes should not come at the expense of foreign visitor engagement.

Frustration over the issue has also reignited interest in hosting the opening ceremony in the evening—a format tourism operators say is more accessible, visually striking, and better aligned with the schedules of international travelers.

With the number of visitors rising steadily and the attention turning once again to Mongolia’s vibrant cultural traditions, the tourism industry believes it is more important than ever to ensure that Naadam lives up to its promise as a welcoming and unforgettable experience for all who come to witness it.