North Korea will be partially resuming international tourism this year after nearly half a decade, with tours set to resume in December to the city of Samjiyon. The Beijing-based tourism agency, Koryo Tours, specializes in tourism to North Korea and expressed excitement over the reopening. Samjiyon was chosen as it has recently been developed as a tourist destination and was previously visited during the filming of the British documentary series “Michael Palin in North Korea.”
Koryo Tours has stated that its North Korean partners have informed them that itinerary and dates for the tours will be announced in the coming weeks. Once finalized, the details will be made available for booking on the website. This announcement comes after North Korea closed its borders at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, prohibiting almost all outsiders from entering the country for business, travel, or non-vital diplomatic relations. The regime has struggled to fully reopen since the pandemic due to a lack of resources and infrastructure to effectively combat the outbreak within its borders.
North Korean Olympic athletes have recently been denied gifts from Samsung that every other team received, adding to the challenges faced by the country during the pandemic. With the announcement of the partial reopening of tourism, there is hope for increased engagement with the outside world and a boost to the economy. However, it remains to be seen how successful the reopening will be and if it will be extended to other locations beyond Samjiyon.
The resumption of tourism in North Korea comes after a four-year hiatus, marking a significant development for the country. The closed borders during the pandemic have impacted various aspects of life, including tourism and international relations. By partially reopening to international tourists, North Korea is taking a step towards re-engaging with the world and potentially boosting its economy.
The decision to reopen tourism to Samjiyon is seen as a strategic choice by Koryo Tours, given its recent development as a tourist destination and previous exposure in a popular documentary series. The coming weeks will reveal the finalized itineraries and dates for the tours, allowing interested travelers to book their trips. It is hoped that the reopening of tourism will bring positive benefits to both North Korea and the visitors who choose to explore the country.
Overall, the partial resumption of international tourism in North Korea represents a step towards normalization and engagement with the outside world. Despite the challenges faced by the country during the pandemic, there is optimism surrounding the reopening of borders for tourism. With Samjiyon as the initial destination, there is potential for further expansion to other locations in the future, providing opportunities for North Korea to showcase its culture and history to the world.
