Possible ways of tourism development between Primorye and the DPRK

Russia and North Korea are preparing to sign an agreement on the simplification of entry for tourists. The first group of tourists from Russia is preparing to go to North Korea on February 9 by Air Koryo. The trip will continue until February 12. During this time, Russians will visit iconic places of the North Korean capital and relax at the world-class ski resort Masikryon.

I inform you that as a result of our joint work with the Korean side, the first group of Russian tourists consisting of 97 people will visit the DPRK from 9 to 12 February. The tour program is planned to visit Pyongyang and the ski resort of Masikryon. I am sure that this trip will give a start to the resumption of active Russian-Korean cooperation in the field of tourism and the further development of humanitarian ties between the two countries, said Primorsky Governor Oleg Kozhemyako in a letter addressed to the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Pyongyang Alexander Matsegora.

Russian Ambassador to North Korea Alexander Matsegora in an interview with TASS noted the possibilities of simplifying the visa regime with the DPRK to stimulate the tourist flow to the country.

One of the documents in the package of the President of the Russian Federation is now being signed by the President of the President of the Russian Federation. We will see what we can do to create the most comfortable conditions for Russian tourists going to visit the DPRK, the diplomat said.

Against the background of the first flight after the pandemic, the seaside tourism business is already making plans for further cooperation, for the implementation of new ideas and projects, such as summer holidays, visiting the DPRK during holidays and festivals, organizing children's holidays. Primorsky tour operators are ready to cooperate, are ready to form groups, are ready to meet tourists from other regions of Russia and show them Vladivostok before or after a trip to the DPRK. As for the simplification of the visa regime, the best option is to issue a group visa and travel on the list, said Inna Mukhina, head of Vostok Intour, which organizes this trip.

We note that Russian tourists flew to the DPRK before the pandemic, the groups were issued without hype. Everyone left Vladivostok, since air communication with Pyongyang was only from Primorye. Far Easterners, residents of western regions and even foreigners who were in Vladivostok transit were flying. Flights were operated by Air Koryo twice a week. In 2018 and 2019, a little more than 700 people went to the DPRK as tourists through seaside checkpoints, i.e. for two years about 1,500,000 people. If we talk about simplifications, the design was not difficult before. During the entire period of work with the consulate of the DPRK in Vladivostok, we have not had a single refusal when issuing visas. Perhaps a convenient option will be an electronic visa or entry into the country on the lists. It may be possible to enter through China - this route has long been discussed. But then there will be a question of issuing a double-entry visa. During this visit, we want to know the prospects for further cooperation. These flights can be very promising for the tourism industry of Primorye. But if there are alternatives to flights from Moscow, the Far East will lose - we simply will not have a mass flow, - says Sergey Alekseev, CEO of Frigate Aero travel company. Photo: Government of Primorsky Krai.