North Korea opens up beach resort in bid to boost tourism | BBC News

Key Concepts:

• Wan Kalma coastal tourist zone: A new resort in North Korea opened to tourists.
• Foreign currency: North Korea's need for dollars, euros, and rubles.
• Tourist influx: The decline in tourist numbers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Geopolitical signaling: North Korea's use of tourism to demonstrate alliances.

Opening of Wan Kalma Resort

• North Korea has opened the Wan Kalma coastal tourist zone on July 1st, a location where Kim Jong-un spent his youth.
• The resort is located in an exclusive area on the east coast.
• BBC News Russian reporter Yarus Lava Kira interviewed a Russian tourist who visited the site.

Tourist Experience and Restrictions

• Russian tourists expressed excitement about their visit despite numerous restrictions and some issues with the tourist staff.
• One tourist group's arrival was delayed by a day due to a visit by Russian Foreign Minister Serge Lov.
• Tourists were impressed with the "flawless beach" and the hosts' attempts to accommodate their needs.

Economic Motivation for Opening the Resort

• According to North Korea expert Andrea Lankov, North Korea desperately needs foreign currency such as dollars, euros, and rubles.
• Before the COVID-19 pandemic, North Korea was a popular destination for Chinese tourists, with up to 200,000 visitors annually.
• Currently, there are roughly 300 to 500 bookings per month from Russian tourists, which is insufficient to replenish the previous tourist flow.
• Tourists pay for the Wan Kalma tour partly in dollars.

Quality of the Resort and Speculations

• There are speculations about the origins of the resort's design and resources.
• North Korea has had other resorts, including Rason, which was popular among British tourists.
• The primary goal is to attract Chinese tourists, but due to strained relations with China, only Russians are currently permitted.
• Allowing Russian tourists is seen as a way for North Korea to showcase its alliance with Russia.
• Speculations suggest that the resort's design may be inspired by Asian resorts or Benidorm, a popular destination for British tourists.

Conclusion

The opening of the Wan Kalma resort represents North Korea's attempt to generate much-needed foreign currency amid economic challenges. While the resort aims to provide a high-quality experience, it is also a strategic move to demonstrate geopolitical alliances, particularly with Russia, given the current restrictions on Chinese tourists. The success of this venture remains uncertain, but it highlights North Korea's efforts to navigate economic pressures and international relations through tourism.