North Korea Sets to Open New Tourist Site

Next week, North Korea will unveil a notable tourist destination on the East Coast, which it describes as a beginning of a new phase in the tourism sector. However, there’s still no indication of when the nation will reopen its borders to foreign travelers.

This tourist area, situated along the Wonsan-Kalma coast, boasts accommodations for nearly 20,000 guests. Visitors can enjoy swimming, a variety of sports, and various recreational activities, as well as dining options at on-site eateries.

During a recent ceremony, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inaugurated the site, as reported by the South Korean Central News Agency. He announced that the project would be remembered as “one of the greatest successes of the year” and referred to it as a “prideful first step” in realizing the government’s tourism ambitions.

According to KCNA, the Wonsan-Kalma Zone will begin serving domestic tourists next Tuesday. However, no information was provided regarding when foreign tourists might be welcomed.

Kim is eager to transform the country into a tourism hub, which is part of his broader strategy to revitalize the struggling economy. The Wonsan-Kalma project is one of his most prominent tourism initiatives. KCNA also mentioned plans for creating additional major tourist destinations across the country.

Despite this optimistic outlook, North Korea has yet to fully lift its travel restrictions, which includes a ban on foreign tourists that was established at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since February 2024, North Korea has allowed Russian tourists to enter, reflecting an increase in military and other partnerships. However, group tours from China, which comprised over 90% of visitors before the pandemic, remain dormant.

This past February marked the arrival of a small group of international tourists, the first in five years, but their tours were halted in March.