After a prolonged period of being closed off to foreign tourists due to the COVID-19 pandemic, North Korea has announced plans to resume international tourism this winter. This news comes as a relief to travel companies like KTG and Koryo Tours, which specialize in organizing trips to the secretive country. According to these operators, the North Korean government will allow travel to some locations, with the city of Samjiyon set to reopen for tourists by December.
Efforts to Develop Tourism Facilities
North Korea has been actively working towards the reopening of its tourism industry by investing in the development and construction of tourism facilities in key locations. Samjiyon, a mountain city near the Chinese border, has been a focal point of these efforts. During a recent visit to the city, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un praised it as “a model of highly-civilised mountain city,” highlighting the new hotels, attractions, and a ski resort that have been established. Additionally, there are plans to construct another major tourism site on the country’s eastern coast.
Economic Recovery Through Tourism
The reopening of North Korea for international tourism is seen as a crucial step towards the country’s economic recovery from the devastating impacts of the global pandemic. By attracting foreign tourists and generating revenue from tourism activities, North Korea hopes to stabilize its economy and mitigate the financial losses incurred during the pandemic. This move is in line with the country’s long-term strategy to boost economic growth and attract foreign investment.
According to Koryo Tours’ website, introductory tours to North Korea typically cost between 600 euros and 1,500 euros per person, depending on various factors such as the point of departure, duration, group size, and lodging arrangements. It is important to note that citizens of the Republic of Korea are restricted from traveling to North Korea as tourists, while the U.S. government has issued a strong advisory against travel to the country. U.S. passports are not considered valid for travel to, in, or through North Korea unless they are specially validated by the Department of State.
The decision to reopen Samjiyon for international tourism is likely aimed at attracting Chinese travelers, who were the predominant group of international tourists visiting North Korea before the pandemic. In 2019, a record 350,000 Chinese tourists visited North Korea, providing a significant source of revenue for Pyongyang. By tapping into the Chinese tourist market, North Korea hopes to revitalize its tourism industry and boost its economy.