North Korea has welcomed a small group of foreign tourists for the first time in five years. The move signals a potential reawakening of the country’s tourism sector, a vital source of foreign currency for its struggling economy. Experts say North Korea might be gearing up for broader international tourism operations.
Recently, Koryo Tours, a travel company based in Beijing, coordinated a visit for 13 international tourists to the city of Rason, where North Korea has a special economic zone. These tourists, hailing from nations including the UK and Germany, visited local factories, shops, and significant statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, North Korea relied on tourism as a major revenue stream, with Chinese tourists constituting the largest group. As North Korea slowly eases COVID-19 restrictions and attempts to revitalize its tourism industry, the return of Chinese visitors is deemed crucial to its success.
(With inputs from agencies.)
