In a surprising turn of events, North Korea has halted tourism operations mere weeks after the first Western tourists set foot in the country for the first time in over five years. The nation had previously closed its borders at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020, only beginning to ease restrictions in mid-2023. Initially welcoming Russian visitors in 2024, it allowed Western tourists into the eastern city of Rason last month, which was designated as a special economic zone.
**North Korea Suspends Tourism Again Following Brief Reopening**
**North Korea Suspends Tourism Again Following Brief Reopening**
North Korea reverses its recent decision to welcome tourists just weeks after allowing limited entry for Western visitors.
Tour companies specializing in North Korean travel reported the sudden cancellation of trips, leaving many travelers who had hoped to explore the isolated nation in uncertainty. KTG Tours, a China-based travel agency, indicated that all access to Rason would be halted, while other agencies, including Young Pioneer Tours and Koryo Tours, echoed similar news, advising clients not to book flights for the upcoming months until further clarity is provided.
Though the first Western tourists arrived in Rason on February 20, their experience was notably more restricted than in pre-pandemic days. Greater controls were placed on their movements, limiting interactions with locals and access to communication networks. The choice of Rason for reopening was likely due to its manageable size, facilitating governmental oversight of tourists.
Earlier this week, Koryo Tours announced it was ready to accept international applications for the Pyongyang Marathon, a long-awaited event scheduled for April 6, casting further doubt on its feasibility following the recent tourism ban. Prior to the pandemic, North Korea welcomed approximately 350,000 foreign tourists in 2019, with the vast majority coming from China. The future of tourism in North Korea remains uncertain as further developments unfold.
Though the first Western tourists arrived in Rason on February 20, their experience was notably more restricted than in pre-pandemic days. Greater controls were placed on their movements, limiting interactions with locals and access to communication networks. The choice of Rason for reopening was likely due to its manageable size, facilitating governmental oversight of tourists.
Earlier this week, Koryo Tours announced it was ready to accept international applications for the Pyongyang Marathon, a long-awaited event scheduled for April 6, casting further doubt on its feasibility following the recent tourism ban. Prior to the pandemic, North Korea welcomed approximately 350,000 foreign tourists in 2019, with the vast majority coming from China. The future of tourism in North Korea remains uncertain as further developments unfold.
