≡-North Korea Ignites Tourism Transformation With Launch Of Grand East Coast Resort Poised To Draw Global Spotlight And Economic Revival – Viral of Today

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Home » NORTH KOREA TRAVEL NEWS » North Korea Ignites Tourism Transformation With Launch Of Grand East Coast Resort Poised To Draw Global Spotlight And Economic Revival Thursday, June 26, 2025North Korea Prepares to Open Major East Coast Tourist Zone as Part of Wider Push to Reignite Tourism IndustryNorth Korea is gearing up to open a major new tourism hub on its eastern coastline next week, signaling what state media calls the dawn of a new era for the country’s travel industry. The soon-to-be-operational Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist zone is one of the most ambitious projects aimed at rejuvenating the economy by welcoming both domestic and, eventually, international tourists.The expansive coastal resort, located along the Sea of Japan (East Sea), is designed to accommodate up to 20,000 guests. It features a wide array of facilities, including beach access for swimming, sports complexes, recreational activities, and an assortment of restaurants and cafeterias to cater to visitors. According to state-run media reports, the complex was built to offer a full-package holiday experience and serve as a showcase for North Korea’s tourism potential.The opening ceremony, held earlier this week, was marked by what local media described as a moment of great national pride. The launch is being portrayed as a foundational step in implementing the government’s broader policy of economic diversification through tourism. The development of this zone reflects an ongoing campaign to tap into tourism as a sustainable revenue stream at a time when traditional trade and foreign investments remain limited due to international sanctions.Wonsan-Kalma will begin operations next Tuesday, initially welcoming only domestic travelers. While this represents a meaningful step toward reactivating the tourism sector, the government has yet to confirm when foreign visitors will be allowed to enter the resort. For now, the country’s borders remain largely sealed to international tourists, a restriction first introduced in early 2020 during the global outbreak of COVID-19.Although North Korea remains under strict self-imposed travel curbs, state media has hinted at broader tourism plans underway across the country. Reports indicate that new large-scale resorts and cultural tourism sites are being considered in other regions, pointing to a national-level push to position tourism as a long-term economic pillar.The eastern resort city of Wonsan has long been eyed as a strategic location for tourism, given its scenic coastal views and proximity to other landmarks. The completion of the Wonsan-Kalma zone not only enhances domestic vacation options but also sets the stage for future inbound tourism campaigns once the country chooses to ease entry restrictions.As of early 2024, North Korea had begun cautiously reopening to select foreign visitors. In February, Russian tourists were allowed to enter the country, reflecting strengthened bilateral relations and growing cooperation between the two nations. However, there has been no word on the resumption of Chinese group tours, which previously made up the bulk of foreign arrivals before the pandemic. In fact, Chinese travelers accounted for over 90 percent of all international tourism in North Korea prior to 2020.Earlier this year, a small number of international visitors were granted entry for the first time in five years, but this proved short-lived. Travel agencies reported in March that those limited tours had been suspended once again, and no clear timeline has been provided regarding a full reopening of the tourism sector.The uncertain status of international travel continues to cast a shadow over the country’s efforts to revive tourism. However, with the unveiling of the Wonsan-Kalma zone, North Korea is signaling its intention to prioritize the development of leisure infrastructure. The move suggests a strategic focus on enhancing the country’s appeal to future international visitors, while also serving the domestic population in the meantime.As Pyongyang looks to diversify its economy and break free from its reliance on a limited range of sectors, tourism has emerged as one of the few areas with untapped potential. The opening of this flagship coastal site is seen as both a symbolic and practical step in that direction—one that could lay the groundwork for a larger tourism revival once borders reopen.

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