North Korea is pushing to expand its tourism industry in North Hamgyong province to generate foreign currency despite international sanctions.
Last month, the central government’s tourism promotion agency ordered the North Hamgyong province’s local government to support the Mount Chilbo Tourism Agency’s operations and increase foreign currency earnings through improved connections with Rason city, a source in the province told Daily NK recently.
The province has begun preparing for winter tourism by collecting spare buses, repairing tourism vehicles, and repainting them. Officials are also coordinating with air force units on emergency snow removal plans for Chongjin Airport to ensure winter flight safety.
“Chongjin Bus Factory workers were ordered to paint seven tourist buses in just three days,” the source said. “The workers mockingly reported that with only one paint sprayer available, they had to use brushes to paint the lower parts of the buses, resulting in poor quality work.”
The authorities view North Hamgyong province as a potential tourism goldmine due to its unique location bordering both China and Russia. The province boasts several attractive tourist sites, including Mount Chilbo and Kyongsong Hot Spring, making it a key tourism hub.
According to the Russian consulate in Chongjin, approximately 1,000 Russian tourists visited North Korea this year, with 400 traveling to North Hamgyong province and Nason – representing 40% of Russian tourism to the country.
While the authorities are eager to boost tourism to circumvent international sanctions, local officials are struggling to meet these demands without adequate state support. They face constant pressure to improve infrastructure and service quality for foreign tourists.
“When tourists stay at Mount Chilbo’s bed and breakfasts, the facilities receive some electricity, but frequent unexpected power outages leave officials scrambling,” the source said. “Officials are growing frustrated with leadership’s demands while they’re left to manage everything through ‘self-reliance.’ Some even question what attractions foreigners see in visiting the country.”
Daily NK works with a network of sources in North Korea, China, and elsewhere. For security reasons, their identities remain anonymous.
Please send any comments or questions about this article to dailynkenglish@uni-media.net.
December 06, 2024 at 01:00PM
by DailyNK(North Korean Media)