A Russian travel agency from Vladivostok has started selling tour packages for Russians to the new Kalma resort located in the city of Wonsan on the shores of the Sea of Japan in North Korea. The tours are offered under the “all-inclusive” system. Tourists will travel by bus from Vladivostok to the Hasan station on the Russia-North Korea border (about 270 km), where they will transfer to a train that will take them to the tourist area in Wonsan, reports Baltimore Chronicle, citing Yonhap.
The standard tour package lasts 8 days and 7 nights and includes accommodation in a four-star hotel, meals, and the services of a Russian-speaking guide. The cost of the tour for groups of three to five people is $1250 per person, with an additional charge of 20,000 rubles (approximately $250). The total cost of the trip for one tourist is around $1500. Discounts are available for larger groups.
The tour description mentions that this is a unique opportunity to experience the culture and history of North Korea, which “has not been affected by Western influence.” The agency does not disclose how many Russians have expressed interest in vacationing in North Korea.
North Korea opened the Kalma resort on July 1. It is located on a four-kilometer stretch of the Sea of Japan, with hotels and various recreational facilities. However, on July 18, the North Korean authorities suspended the entry of foreign tourists, sparking speculation about the need to address technical shortcomings at the resort.
Earlier we wrote that Trump seeks ways to restore dialogue with North Korea.