ULAN BATOR, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia welcomed 292,063 foreign tourists during the first five months of 2026, marking a 32 percent increase compared with the same period last year, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth announced on Friday.

According to the ministry, Russia, China and South Korea were the leading source markets for inbound tourists during the period.

The Mongolian government regards tourism as a key sector for diversifying the country's economy, which has traditionally depended heavily on mining exports.

However, Mongolia's tourism industry has long faced seasonal challenges due to its harsh continental climate, characterized by long, severe winters and short summers.

To address these constraints, the government has been promoting the development of year-round tourism. As part of this effort, it has extended the "Years to Visit Mongolia" campaign through 2028, with the goal of attracting at least 1 million foreign visitors annually.

The Asian country received a total of 846,103 foreign tourists in 2025, representing a 5 percent increase from the previous year. ■