North Korea set to open sprawling new tourist site in push to revive economy
North Korea is preparing to open a sprawling new tourist site to visitors on its east coast, touting it as the start of a new era in its tourism industry. The project comes amid a push to revive the nation’s struggling economy. However, North Korea has yet to announce when it will fully reopen its borders to international visitors.
What can guests expect?
The Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist zone features hotels, recreational facilities and dining options designed to accommodate up to 20,000 guests. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sports activities and meals at on-site restaurants and cafeterias, according to North Korean state media.
North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un personally attended the opening ceremony at the resort on Tuesday, June 24, cutting the ceremonial red ribbon. However, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) didn’t report the event until Thursday, June 26. Kim hailed the completion of the tourist attraction as “one of the greatest successes this year” and said it is “the proud first step” toward achieving a flourishing tourism industry.
Accepting visitors next week
KCNA reported that the Wonsan-Kalma resort will begin serving domestic tourists on Tuesday, July 1, but officials have not disclosed when it will open to international tourists.
Kim has been advocating for a tourism site as part of his country’s efforts to revitalize its economy. The Wonsan-Kalma zone ranks among his most anticipated tourism projects, and North Korea plans to announce additional large-scale tourist developments in other regions.
Restrictions remain for foreign visitors
Despite the resort’s opening, North Korea has yet to fully lift travel restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic that continues to block most foreign tourists.
Beginning in February 2024, North Korea began accepting Russian visitors as part of growing military and economic ties. However, North Korea continues to bar most Chinese tourists — who reportedly made up over 90% of foreign visitors before the pandemic — from entering the country.
So far, officials have allowed only a small group of international visitors to enter. In February, a Chinese tour group visited for the first time in five years, but tour agencies suspended those visits again in March.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
