Friday, 13 November 2015

NORTH KOREA: New Tourism Drive, With Marathons, Helicopter Drives And International Cuisine

The isolated state is investing in a string of new tourism initiatives to attract visitors from around the worldNORTH KOREA:
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un former NBA basketball player Dennis Rodman at a basketball game


Communist dictator Kim Jon Un is determined to change his reputation as an autocratic overlord with a new plan to woo western tourists.

Ahead of the anniversary of the "Great Leader Kim Jong Il" in 2016, the isolated state of North Korea is investing in a string of new tourism initiatives to attract visitors from around the world.

But there's a catch - you need not apply if you're American, Japanese or from South Korea - because special exclusions apply to countries not on the invite list.

This footage shows an English speaking tour guide sampling an array of cuisine at 12 restaurants that swap traditional Korean food like Kimchi and Bibimbap for pizza, pasta and burgers.

She candidly reveals: "It's the first time I've tried this kind of spaghetti" as she enthusiastically tucks into the food in an empty restaurant.

The video reveals the republic has begun to invest in resorts and expanded its airport in the capital Pyongyang .

And it also reveals they are planning to open their doors for the first time to 1500 tourists when it hosts a marathon next year.

The Government has also launched new helicopter sight-seeing tours for tourists keen to get a bird's eye view of the capital.

For £127 a go, tourists can board an ageing Mil Mi-17 Soviet-era military transport helicopter to inspect the sky line through its porthole-like windows.

In 2012 Kim Jong Un and his wife Ri Sol-ju opened the Rungna People's Pleasure Ground , an amusement park, complete with dolphinarium, swimming pool, and a mini golf course.

There's also the state run Munsu Water Park located in the east of Pyongyang , which opened to the public in November 2013.

The park covers an area of 15 hectares with indoor and outdoor activities available all year round.

There's also a ski resort, on top of Taehwa Peak , which boasts a hotel with wood cabin style rooms, complimentary toiletries, and spa facilities and 70 miles of multi-level slopes.

According to its tourism website The Korean Friendship Association (KFA) is also organizing a trip from 13th February to 20th February next year for what they're calling "the special occasion of the Anniversary of the Great Leader Kim Jong Il."

While they have yet to disclose which anniversary they're celebrating, the event is set to offer tourists and business people the "chance to know about the country, its people, society and culture in a respectful environment and small group. "

But there's some conditions attached to the trip.

Its website says: "All passports are invited to apply except for: U.S.A., Republic of Korea (South Korea) and Japan due to special protocol in bilateral relations.

"Participants in the delegation will be accepted according to their order of arrival (pre-subscription) and after clearing all details and conditions.

"This isn't a regular tourist trip , but a cultural one where visitors are expected to interact and behave accordingly.

"A visitor joining the KFA Delegation is not treated as a tourist but as a friend of the DPRK , having access to places, information, insights and state events not allowed for regular visitors."

But for visitors keen to find luxury accommodation in the country could be disappointed.

Its five star Koryo Hotel, which had a 30 ft-wide jade dragon's mouth leading into its expansive lobby, mysteriously went on fire in June.

The hotel, which at 469ft was one of the tallest buildings in Pyongyang , was badly damaged in the blaze but the extent has never been disclosed.

It was made famous when Basketball player Dennis Rodman stayed while visiting North Korea in 2013.

An estimated 6,000 Westerners visit the country each year, according to tour companies, spending £26m anually.

The vast majority of tourists are from neighbouring China.

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