Over 200 tourists, mostly Singaporeans, are expected to visit North Korea in September through Universal Travel, one of the three travel agencies that arrange trips to the country, The Korea Herald reported.
North Korea has seen a surge in travellers from Singapore following the historic summit in June between the leaders of North Korea and United States.
Over 200 tourists, mostly Singaporeans, are expected to visit North Korea in September through Universal Travel, one of the three travel agencies that arrange trips to the country, The Korea Herald reported.
A huge art and dance performance known as the “Mass Games” will be taking place throughout Pyongyang in September.
Beijing-based tour agency Koryo Tours said it would take about 500 people into North Korea this month, up from about 100 in July and 40 in August, after authorities stopped issuing visas ahead of the September 9 celebrations for the regime‘s 70th founding anniversary.
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, issued a travel advisory in late July advising Singaporeans to best “avoid all non-essential travel” to North Korea. This is mainly because Singapore has no diplomatic representation in North Korea, which limits the consular help the ministry can give to Singaporeans in the country.
Travel agencies, nonetheless, offer various tour packages such as a nine- or 10-day group tour, or a customised private tour of four to five days.
Shenyang-based agency Explore North Korea sells group and independent packages, including a train ride from China’s Dandong to Pyongyang.
Four such group tours from Singapore to North Korea are scheduled in the second half of this month, following at least another four groups consisting of between 16 and 24 people that have already completed the tour in the first half, according to Universal Travel.
The cost ranges from S$2,099 (US$1,530) to S$2,399, plus a visa fee of S$35 for Singaporean citizens, and a service fee of S$56 for local guide and driver.
Country Holidays, which has run tours to North Korea for the past 15 years, offers more expensive customised private tours — S$3,050 for four days and S$3,395 for five days.
“We have actually had more customers travelling to North Korea before the summit,” an official at Country Holidays said.