August 09, 2007
Tourism Expanding at Mount Geumgang in North Korea
When I visited South Korea in March I was surprised to learn that Hyundai has been running cruises into the archetypal center of the historic Korea -- which lies inside North Korea. The site, Mount Geumgang, has a bit of tourism infrastructure built up. Other plans for tourism include a much-delayed passenger train to leave from near where this photo was taken in South Korea and proceed into the North.
eTurbo News reports today:
Hyundai Asan, the South Korean operator of privatized tours in North Korea, has announced its plans to spend US$3 billion by 2025 to develop its tourism complexes in the North's east coast into a major tourist destination.The company said it plans to develop the coastal area from North Korea's eastern port city of Wonsan to Haegeumgang, near Mount Geumgang, where it has built a mountain resort.
Mt. Geumgang, divided into three parts--Naegeumgang (inner, western part), Oegeumgang (outer, eastern part) and Haegeumgang (seashore), has long held a spiritual allure for Koreans and will now be accessible daily starting this summer season, instead of three times a week in the past.
Located just north of the border between the two Korea's east coast, the complex has attracted 1.5 million visitors since 1998, up to now mostly consisting of South Koreans. Official records show 8,000 other visitors came from 48 countries. "This year we are targeting 400,000 visitors," said Yoon Man-joon, CEO of Hyundai Asan.
Full story:
http://www.travelindustryreview.com/news/5942