Mongolia Roundup: Air Travel, Mongolia, Philippines tourism collaborations, World Memory Champions
Air travel
In a notable development for international travel, Sanya Phoenix International Airport is set to enhance connectivity with Ulan Bator, Mongolia, by introducing four weekly flights commencing December 11. According to ECNS, these flights, operated by Juneyao Air, will facilitate easier access to and from Sanya, departing every Tuesday at 9:55 p.m. and returning from Ulan Bator at 4:00 a.m. the following day. This expansion adds to the airport’s existing international network of 27 routes across 20 cities in 2024, with further plans to include destinations such as Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Healthcare
Meanwhile, a significant healthcare initiative has emerged from the partnership between Germany and Mongolia, introducing a debt-for-health swap agreement. Akipress reports that this strategic move enables Mongolia to reallocate funds that would have been used for debt servicing towards strengthening its health infrastructure and services, thereby enhancing overall healthcare accessibility for its citizens.
Tourism promotion and projects
In cultural diplomacy, the Philippine Embassy in Beijing has launched a promotional campaign in Mongolia aimed at showcasing the country’s rich tourism prospects. A photo booth, titled “Explore and Love the Philippines”, was unveiled in Ulaanbaatar, featuring stunning images of Philippine beaches and diving spots. Ambassador Jaime FlorCruz has encouraged Mongolians to consider the Philippines as a winter getaway destination, particularly highlighting locations such as Boracay, Palawan, and Cebu. This initiative will run until December 14, 2024, reinforcing the importance of promoting underwater attractions to the landlocked nation, Philippine News Agency reports.
Philippines-Mongolia cultural collaborations
Complementing this initiative, a photo exhibition, also under the theme “Explore and Love the Philippines: Philippine Archipelagic Culture and Identity”, was inaugurated on December 9, 2024. Co-hosted by the Philippine Embassy and its Honorary Consulate in Mongolia, this exhibition showcases the Philippines' diverse culture and nature, set to captivate visitors at the Shangri-La Mall in Ulaanbaatar until December 14, 2024. Akipress reports that this initiative serves not only as a cultural display but also as a resource for travel information about the Philippines.
World Memory Championships
In a display of intellectual prowess, Mongolia's national team shone at the 33rd World Memory Championships held in Turkey, securing an impressive total of 80 medals, categorised as 27 gold, 27 silver, and 26 bronze. This competitive achievement from December 4-8 positions Mongolia at the forefront of memory competitions, with China and India following in second and third place respectively. Noteworthy is the qualification of nine Mongolian athletes for the title of International Grandmaster of Memory, contributing to a cumulative total of 69 Grandmasters within the country over the past 14 years. The performance of two young talents, Uuriintsolmon Enkhjargal and Naranzul Otgon-Ulaan, who established new world records by memorising 6,465 digits and 1,968 cards respectively, exemplifies the high calibre of talent emerging from Mongolia, Akipress reports.
