Means of survival, means of development; handicrafts and tourism on the Silk Roads in Mongolia today.

Tourism makes an important contribution to modern society and culture, with museums and craft-production, in particular, providing key elements. The components that make up contemporary tourism, including the role played by museums in Mongolia, the representations of Mongolia in Europe, and traditional craft-production, could play a significant role in the development of this sector of the Mongolian economy. It is clear that the performing arts are now established and recognised. If similar levels of support  are given to museums and the decorative and applied arts, this could lead to a resurgence in traditional crafts that include appliqué, wooden inlay and metal-work etc. The result could be new products for the tourist market to the benefit of the economy of Mongolia.