In recent years, North Korean authorities have continuously rolled out innovative tourism projects to draw in foreign visitors. According to a report by the UK's Daily Telegraph on the 12th, the country has recently launched a “surfing tour,” inviting foreign tourists to visit and enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery of North Korea.
“It has great surfing conditions”
The Daily Telegraph, citing the North’s official Pyongyang Times, reported that along North Korea’s nearly 2,500-kilometer-long eastern coastline, three surfing spots will be opened to tourists: Songdowon, Sijung Lake, and Hamhung Beach.
“Between July 28 and August 6 this year, the first surfing tourism event was successfully held,” the Pyongyang Times reported. “Surfing enthusiasts from the United States said they had a pleasant holiday in North Korea’s resort locations: scenic and pleasant.”
The report stated that the tour package lasts five days and four nights, with the option to extend based on visitor needs. Aside from surfing, tourists can also visit the capital Pyongyang to explore monuments, historical sites, and more.
Tour companies have also confirmed the news. Simon Cockerell of Koryo Tours, headquartered in Beijing, said that so far, North Korea has hosted two foreign surfing tour groups, and participants in this type of tour do not need to apply for additional documentation or permits.
Andrea Lee of Uri Tours, a North Korea-focused travel company based in New Jersey, USA, said that surfing tourism in North Korea has market potential. “There are great surfing conditions from April to September each year,” she said. “We hope such tourism projects will become more common.” Some Western surfing enthusiast websites have even begun analyzing satellite images of North Korea’s east coast to discuss its market potential.
The Pyongyang Times claimed that surfers can enjoy “waves several meters high.” However, Cockerell of Koryo Tours said that he has visited Hamhung Beach several times and found the waves to be decent but not as exaggerated as described by North Korean officials. He added that, from his observation, the surfing program does not appear to be open to North Koreans. Western tourists who want to surf in North Korea would need to bring their own equipment.
Launch of Various Themed Tourism Products
In recent years, North Korea has vigorously developed its tourism industry. On July 21, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the country’s International Travel Company has recently introduced a variety of themed tourism packages for foreign visitors, including mountain climbing tours, train trips, and architectural sightseeing, which are “very popular among tourists.”
North Korea has also developed sports-themed tourism. In February last year, KCNA reported plans to launch a mini-golf tourism program for foreign visitors. In February this year, North Korea opened an International Taekwondo Travel Agency. In April, over 200 foreign marathon enthusiasts participated in the 27th Mangyongdae Prize Marathon in North Korea, exchanging sports skills.
North Korea also hopes to attract foreign tourists with relatively novel tourism offerings. According to a July 23 report on the website of the UK’s Guardian, the North Korean government announced a new development plan for the eastern coastal city of Wonsan, including the establishment of an underwater hotel in the area.
The Pyongyang Times reported that the plan primarily focuses on infrastructure and building projects related to leisure industries in Wonsan, with the ultimate goal of turning the city into the latest “tourism city.”
In addition, North Korea also places considerable emphasis on cultivating tourism talent. According to a KCNA report on July 5, the newly established Pyongyang University of Tourism officially opened on April 1. The report stated that the university will mainly build teaching systems related to the tourism industry, aiming to cultivate high-quality tourism professionals and experts.
It is reported that Pyongyang University of Tourism is located in the East Pyongyang area. Wu Hyon, head of the North Korean National Tourism Administration, said the establishment of the university reflects the demands of the country’s tourism development. Meanwhile, universities of education in various regions, such as Wonsan Teachers’ University and Chagwangsu Sinyiju First Teachers’ University, will also introduce new tourism and hospitality departments.