North Korea is completing the construction of the giant resort complex Wonsan-Kalma on the east coast of the country. The resort, located on a five-kilometer beach, should open in June and become one of the main tourist destinations for foreigners. Special emphasis is placed on attracting tourists from Russia, reports The Moscow Times .
Wonsan-Kalma covers an area of 2.5 km² and includes 150 buildings, including:
- 54 hotels , which vary from budget buildings to VIP cottages;
- Restaurants , shops, water park, cinema and stadium;
- Airport for tourist flights.
The resort can accommodate up to 100,000 guests at the same time. The complex is designed taking into account the various needs of tourists. VIP areas include cottages with swimming pools, high-rise hotels with luxurious interiors, including white grand pianos in the halls.
This project is already being called "North Korea's Benidorm" after the famous Spanish resort, which is said to have inspired North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
The disadvantage of the resort is its proximity to a missile range, where ballistic weapons are regularly tested. However, Pyongyang is trying to compensate for this disadvantage by actively promoting the tourism potential of the region.
Russian tourists are primarily expected at the resort. The North Korean state tourism agency even released a special video last year to appeal to visitors from Russia.
Kim Jong-un expects that Wonsan-Kalma will be an important step for the development of the country's tourism industry, which is not subject to UN sanctions. By attracting foreign tourists, the DPRK will be able to earn foreign currency and stimulate the economy.
"This is the first big step, which is of great importance for putting the national tourism industry on the path of epoch-making development," said Kim Jong-un.
The resort is also aimed at improving the standard of living of local residents and changing the country's image in the eyes of the international community.
