North Korea has announced a temporary suspension of foreign tourist access to the Wonsan-Kalma tourist complex, located on the country’s eastern coast. This announcement follows a surprising and abrupt decision to open the site to domestic tourists on July 1, 2023. Local tourists have been rushing to the new resort, attracted to its state-of-the-art amenities. Without any international visitors there are serious questions about the country’s new post-COVID-19 pandemic tourism plan.
The Wonsan-Kalma complex received its first foreign visitors on July 11. A delegation of 15 Russian vacationers, who recently toured Pyongyang, the capital city, were behind the influx. Their visit was part of an effort to showcase the site, which North Korean leader Kim Jong Un described as “one of the greatest successes this year.” Reunion has an impressive array of upscale amenities. Indulge in the warmth of an indoor pool and the gorgeous beaches, all meant to draw visitors from the region and around the world.
Background on Wonsan-Kalma Complex
While the construction of the Wonsan-Kalma complex was under construction before the pandemic, the viral outbreak caused a halt to progress and tourism was effectively eliminated. After taking COVID-19 measures to their extreme, North Korea slowly began reopening its borders. Experts have argued that the massive complex will need to cater to tourists from Russia and China in order to succeed financially. These travelers were an important driver of foreign visitation prior to the pandemic.
Even still, according to state media, local tourists have already been flocking to the new resort, as shown by the excited crowds. Most recently, State Media published photos of Kim Jong Un and daughter Kim Ju Ae visiting the Kalma tourist region. They loved the state-of-the-art facilities and dynamic feel on campus.
“It was magnificent. Everything is new, clean and stunning.” – Nina Svirida
It is worth noting that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was recently on-site. There, he participated in detailed and substantive discussions with Kim Jong Un and Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui. Lavrov reported that there was a surge of enthusiasm for future Russian out-bound tourism.
“I am sure that Russian tourists will be increasingly eager to come here.” – Sergey Lavrov
Challenges in Attracting Foreign Tourists
The positive impact of a temporary suspension of foreign tourism might be due to the challenge of attracting those visitors. Analysts claim that North Korea’s location and the high cost of travel to North Korea puts a lot of would-be tourists off. Group tours from China—previously accounting for over 90% of foreign visitors—remain stalled, further complicating North Korea’s efforts to revitalize its tourism sector.
A Russian journalist who accompanied Lavrov noted that North Koreans in the tourist zone seemed mobilized by authorities rather than being genuine tourists. This finding raises significant concerns regarding the validity of experiences reported at the resort. Consequently, it can discourage international visitors from even considering coming.
Beyond logistical challenges, North Korea’s decades of isolation have given rise to an image that would likely dissuade foreign tourists. Most people consider travel to the country as more dangerous or uncomfortable because of the lack of knowledge about their safety and available amenities.
The Future of Wonsan-Kalma Resort
As North Korea really begins to settle into a post-COVID recovery, the fate of this Wonsan-Kalma resort is still unknown. The entire complex serves as a reflection of North Korea’s desires to expand with foreign tourism dollars and overall economic development. Its success relies on luring international visitors back to its beaches.
Local tourism is reportedly thriving at the complex, according to state media. Packed beaches and bustling facilities overflow with residents raring to use their new attractions. If North Korea is to become financially sustainable through tourism alone, the country needs to reopen its doors to international travelers.
