In a surprising turn of events, North Korea has announced that it will be resuming international tourism this winter after a COVID-era ban on travelers. This decision comes after a prolonged period of closure to foreign tourists, with the country largely shut off since 2020. Travel companies KTG and Koryo Tours, known for organizing trips to North Korea, have revealed that the government plans to allow travel to certain locations, with the city of Samjiyon being the first to open up by December. This move is seen as a positive step towards reviving the tourism industry in North Korea.
The efforts to reopen North Korea for tourism have not been sudden, as the country has been making preparations for a wider reopening for some time now. According to reports, North Korea has been focusing on developing and building tourism facilities in Samjiyon, a mountain city near the Chinese border. The recent visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to the city, where he praised it as “a model of highly-civilised mountain city,” indicates the government’s commitment to promoting tourism in the region. Additionally, a new tourism site is also under construction on the country’s eastern coast, showcasing North Korea’s efforts to attract visitors and boost its economy.
Potential Economic Benefits
The reopening of North Korea for international tourism could potentially bring significant economic benefits to the country. In the past, Chinese tourists have constituted the majority of international visitors to North Korea, with a record 350,000 Chinese tourists visiting the country in 2019. This influx of tourists provided a substantial revenue stream for Pyongyang, which could greatly benefit from the resumption of tourism activities. The opening of Samjiyon, in particular, may be aimed at attracting Chinese travelers, who have historically been a key demographic for North Korean tourism.
While the resumption of international tourism in North Korea is a positive development, there are still challenges and restrictions that need to be considered. Notably, citizens of the Republic of Korea are restricted from traveling to North Korea as tourists, and the U.S. government has 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. These restrictions may impact the flow of tourists to North Korea and could affect the success of the reopening efforts.
The resumption of international tourism in North Korea presents both opportunities and challenges for the country. By investing in tourism infrastructure and opening up key locations like Samjiyon, North Korea may be able to boost its economy and attract foreign visitors. However, restrictions on certain nationalities and strong advisories from countries like the U.S. could impact the success of these efforts. It remains to be seen how North Korea will navigate these challenges as it seeks to revitalize its tourism industry in the post-pandemic era.