North Korea to welcome tourists in December after nearly five years of ban
North Korea to resume foreign tourism after nearly five years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, starting in December. Two China-based travel agencies specializing in North Korea tours announced this on Wednesday evening.
Koryo Tours, based in Beijing, confirmed on its website that tourism in Samjiyon and likely the rest of the country will resume officially in December 2024. A manager of the agency said on Thursday that they expect good bookings, as demand for travel to the isolated country has remained high throughout the pandemic.
KTG Tours, another provider, also announced on its Facebook page that guests will be able to visit Samjiyon "this winter." Exact dates will follow. So far, only Samjiyon has been confirmed, "but we think Pyongyang and other places will also reopen," the agency added, referring to the North Korean capital.
Samjiyon, located near the Chinese border, is a starting point for visiting Mount Paektu, where former leader Kim Jong Il is said to have been born. His son and successor, Kim Jong Un, has invested heavily in the region to attract tourists, including hotels and a ski station.
North Korea closed its borders in early 2020 to protect against the COVID-19 pandemic, even preventing its own citizens from returning. In the second half of 2023, there were signs of easing, with international flights bringing North Koreans home. A group of Russian tourists visited North Korea in February this year.
Even before the pandemic, foreign tourism in North Korea was heavily restricted. Travel agencies organizing such trips reported around 5,000 Western tourists per year.
The anticipated number of visitors to North Korea is expected to be high, as demand for travel to the country has remained strong despite the pandemic. After its reopening, the Number of visitors to Samjiyon, a popular tourist destination, is expected to increase significantly.
