North Korea has temporarily closed its doors to Western group tourists once again, just three weeks post-reopening. Agencies reported this unprecedented situation while existing tourists will complete their trips. The move poses challenges for the North Korean tourism industry as hopes for recovery following COVID-19 restrictions appear tenuous. Experts highlight concerns regarding the regime’s control over external information.
North Korea has once again suspended the acceptance of Western group tourists just three weeks after allowing their entry for the first time in five years. According to AFP, Korea Tour, a British-owned travel agency based in Beijing, announced that Rason tourism has been temporarily closed, stating, “This is an unprecedented situation, and we are trying to figure out the situation and will update you as soon as we receive further news.”
Passengers currently in North Korea will complete their journeys as planned, professed Simon Corkorell, head of Koryo Tour. Meanwhile, Young Pioneer Tour, established by a New Zealander, confirmed that Rason tourism has ceased temporarily. KTG Tour, based in Spain, expressed uncertainty regarding the duration of the suspension and the reasons behind it.
Since closing its borders in January 2020 due to COVID-19, North Korea reopened in September 2023 to foreign visitors, initially only accommodating groups from Russia. Recently, Western tourists from French, German, and British backgrounds were welcomed in Rason’s special economic zone, with positive media reviews regarding their experiences.
Koryo Tour announced an upcoming opportunity for amateur participants in the 31st Pyongyang International Marathon scheduled for the sixth of next month, priced at 2,195 euros excluding visa fees. There had been optimism regarding an expansion of Western tourism in Pyongyang through this event; however, the recent suspension poses a setback to North Korean tourism.
Experts cited by NK News remarked on the uncertainty regarding the recovery of North Korean tourism to pre-COVID-19 levels. They attributed this ambiguity to the regime’s ongoing efforts to control external information to avoid ideological contamination.
The recent and abrupt cessation of Western tourism to North Korea underscores significant complications within the North Korean tourism sector. Despite efforts to rekindle international interest following COVID-19 restrictions, ongoing suspensions cast doubt on the future viability of tourism in the region. Experts suggest that the regime’s stringent control over information may hinder any potential recovery to pre-pandemic levels.
Original Source: www.mk.co.kr
