ULAN BATOR, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia will hold an international ice and snow festival to enhance winter tourism, local media reported Tuesday, citing the country's Ministry of Environment and Tourism.

The festival "Mazaalai" co-organized by the ministry and the non-governmental Mongolian Tourism Organization, is to be held at the ski resort Sky Resort on the southeastern outskirt of the capital Ulan Bator from Jan. 14 to Feb. 8.

Competitors from six countries, namely Mongolia, China, Russia, France, the United States and Thailand, will carve ice and snow sculptures with free-style themes, according to the organizers.

During the festival, visitors can enjoy various ice and snow events, folk music and dance concerts, among others.

Currently, Mongolia's economy primarily depends on its export-oriented mining sector, and developing tourism is seen as the most viable way to diversify economy as the Mongolian government has taken measures to promote the development of tourism.

In 2023, the country received over 650,000 foreign tourists and earned 1.2 billion U.S. dollars from the tourism sector, hitting an all-time high. Enditem

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