North Korea may soon welcome first foreign tourists in four years

Photo caption — Masikryong Ski Resort in North Korea

According to CNN, the company promises a “family-friendly” ski vacation at a luxury resort outside the capital Pyongyang.

Like many other countries, North Korea has imposed strict anti-epidemic measures and closed its borders since the COVID-19 pandemic began spreading worldwide in early 2020.

For $750, Russian tourists can now sign up for a four-day trip to the Masikryong Ski Resort, becoming the first foreign visitors to North Korea in four years, according to an advertisement on the website of Russian travel company Vostok Intur.

Simon Cockerell, general manager of Koryo Tours, said the holiday promotion was a “positive sign” but warned against assuming it meant a widespread revival of North Korea’s pre-pandemic tourism trade.

North Korea has not announced the resumption of tourism, but according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Pyongyang's Minister of External Economic Affairs Yun Jong Ho met with Governor of the Mokva Maritime Territorial Administration Oleg Kozhemyako during a visit to North Korea in December 2023.

KCNA reported that the two sides discussed issues of taking inter-regional economic cooperation between the two countries to a higher level.

Previously, in late August, flights of North Korea's national airline Air Koryo resumed service between the capital Pyongyang and Beijing (China) and Vladivostok (Russia).

CNN reached out to Russian-based travel company Vostok Intur. According to its website, Vostok Intur regularly organizes tours to China, with the North Korea trip being the latest addition. The trip is scheduled to depart from the Russian port city of Vladivostok on February 9.

According to the advertisement, the $750 fee includes round-trip flights from Vladivostok to Pyongyang and a bus to the Masikryong ski resort, located on the 1,360-meter-high Taehwa Mountain, about a 3.5-hour drive east of Pyongyang.

“In Masikryong, you will find yourself in a real paradise for winter sports lovers,” the ad reads, describing the area’s fresh mountain air and stunning scenery. The stay also includes visits to local museums and temples.

While tourism to North Korea is set to resume, one group of visitors will be missing – Americans. The US has banned its citizens from travelling to North Korea since 2017 and has extended that ban until at least 2024.

The ban was imposed shortly after the death of US citizen Otto Warmbier. University of Virginia student Otto Warmbier was arrested while traveling to North Korea in January 2016. The visit was organized by a budget tour operator based in China.

According to Tin Tuc newspaper

Source