North Korea has continued to keep its borders closed even after the worldwide end of the COVID-19 pandemic, making it impossible for foreign tourists to enter the country. While the country’s borders remained closed, the government has turned to domestic tourism as part of efforts to boost earnings of foreign currency.
Speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons, a source in Pyongyang told Daily NK on Wednesday that the authorities have been aggressively organizing group excursions to tourist facilities like Munsu Water Park and Mirim Horse Riding Club.
Since February, the Workers’ Party has issued orders to fix up major tourism facilities such as the Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone and Yangdok Hot Spring Resort. Following those orders, the authorities have started instructing some of the country’s government agencies and businesses to conduct tours of these sites with their staff.
With the recent end of the rice planting season, the authorities have moved to hand down even more orders for tours, which has led to more and more residents of the provinces to go to Pyongyang for sightseeing tours.
The workers at these agencies and businesses, which the authorities have designated as “model workplaces,” are essentially being allowed to visit these tourist sites as a kind of reward for their hard work.
In February, for example, special delegates to a ceremony to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the country’s military went on holiday to Yangdok Hot Spring Resort. Foreign currency earnings from the visit proved much higher than expected, so the authorities ordered active efforts to promote domestic tourism, according to the source.
In short, the government came to the conclusion that foreign currency earnings can be boosted from North Koreans themselves given that the borders still remained closed to foreign tourists.
“People had more money [foreign currency] than expected, which led to surprise among government officials,” the source said.
People welcome diverse ways to pay for entry to tourist sites
People generally have to pay in foreign currency to enter tourist sites and entertainment facilities, but they may also pay in North Korean won based on the market exchange rate, as well as through credit cards or mobile minutes. By adopting different payment methods, the authorities aim to boost user convenience and ensure the smooth circulation of currency.
The various payment systems in place have been welcomed by many North Koreans. Some people feel that their country has become more developed while visiting modern tourist facilities, and also experience in the flesh the government’s so-called “love for the people” policy. The government, meanwhile, can basically kill two birds with one stone: boosting foreign currency earnings while promoting its “love for the people” policy.
However, North Korea’s government is still enforcing strict quarantine protocols when people visit tourist facilities.
“You have to wear a mask when visiting major tourist facilities, and if you show signs of fever, you are immediately sent home even if your tour hasn’t yet finished,” the source said.
Given how North Korea has kept the border sealed and quarantine measures in place, the country will likely face difficulties in attracting foreign tourists for the time being.
“Individuals are not yet allowed to cross the border, so it will take some time before foreign tourists are allowed back in,” the source said. “It will be winter at the earliest.”
Translated by David Black. Edited by Robert Lauler.
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