In an attempt to diversify its economy and capture currencies, North Korea will open your most ambitious tourism project next week: A holiday complex on the east coast of the country that promises to be the emblem of a new stage for the beaten North Korean tourism industry.
The development, located in the area of Wonsan-Kalmaincludes hotel and recreation infrastructure with the capacity to house up to 20,000 people, according to state media. However, the total reopening of borders for foreign visitors still has no confirmed date.
The opening ceremony was headed by leader Kim Jong-un, who highlighted the work as one of the “great achievements of the year” and the “first step” towards the strengthening of tourism as a state policy. In the short term, the complex will begin to receive only national tourists.
Expectation for Russian tourism, caution with China
While a broader opening is awaited to international tourism, Russia is positioned as the first country to send visitors. The Russian region of Primorsky confirmed that on July 7 the first contingent will depart to Wonsan-Kalma. The trip will also include tours of Pyongyang’s main attractions.
Since February, North Korea has allowed the entry of Russian tourists to specific areas, in parallel to the strengthening of the political-military link with Moscow. In contrast, group tours from China – which represented more than 90% of foreign tourism before the pandemic – continue to suspend.
Analysts interpret this delay as part of the current tensions between Pyongyang and Beijing. Despite this, experts agree that North Korea You cannot sustain the project without reactivating the flow of Chinese visitorskey to guaranteeing the economic return of investment.
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Tourism as an economic engine, but with restrictions
The impulse to tourism is part of a broader strategy of the North Korean regime to alleviate the economic crisis caused by international isolation, sanctions and pandemic. However, health and political restrictions continue to make the massive return of international travelers difficult.
The Wonsan-Kalma project is one of the most promoted by Kim Jong-un and, according to the official press, will be replicated with new developments in other regions of the country. It is a strong bet in an adverse context, in which tourism revenues became even more necessary to sustain the local economy.
For now, Visits from South Korea or the United States are considered highly unlikelydespite recent gestures of leaders such as Donald Trump and the new South Korean president Lee Jae Myung, who expressed their intention to resume dialogue with Pyongyang.
Source: Ambito
