Russian Travel Agency Now Offering All Inclusive Tours To North Korea’s Kalma Beach Resort In Wonsan

Published on August 10, 2025

Vostok Intur, a travel agency located in Vladivostok, Russia, recently started marketing tours to the newly opened Kalma Beach Resort in North Korea. This was announced on August 9, 2025, after a brief intermission in tourism where foreign tourists were barred from visiting the resort. This development is likely to stir up more interest in North Korea as a tourist destination, particularly among Russian travelers considering the proximity, as well as the growing interest in off-the-beaten-path locations.

Kalma Resort is located in Wonsan, a city on the east coast of North Korea in the Kangwon Province. It blends cultural experiences with the luxury of a beach resort. Although the resort opened on July 1, 2025, the North Korean government suspended foreign tourist entry in mid-July. This action led some to speculate concerning operational problems discovered during the trial period of the resort’s opening. Regardless, Vostok Intur is now offering tour plans to the resort, promising an unparalleled travel experience in one of the most closed-off countries in the world.

A New Page In North Korean Tourism

The Kalma Beach Resort is a notable development in North Korea’s attempts to promote a tourism industry which, until now, has been restricted to a handful of guests, mainly from Russia and China. The resort is situated in Wonsan, renowned for its scenic coastline along the Sea of Japan. The region is bound to attract North Korea’s first real wave of culture tourists seeking leisure and an unadulterated view of the country. Its progress is viewed as a component of North Korea’s overarching strategy to develop its tourism industry and earn foreign currency.

As advertised on the travel agency’s website, Vostok Intur has scheduled an eight-day, seven-night trip for Kalma Resort starting on the 25th of August. The agency aims to offer an all-inclusive tour, providing a meal plan, a bed to sleep in, in addition to a tour guide who is Russian-speaking. The offer also provides a bus from Vladivostok and includes a bus segment to Khasan Station, followed by a train segment that enters North Korea at Tumen River Station. The all-inclusive price of the trip is set at 1500 dollars, which includes travel costs, accommodation in a 4-star hotel, and meals.

The Kalma Resort: A North Korean Resort Emerging as a Tourist Trap for Russian Visitors

The Kalma Resort is a new addition to the North Korean tourism industry. North Korean officials, eager to showcase the country’s hospitality and natural beauty, posted widely about the resort’s grand opening celebration in July of 2025. However, Vostok Intur, North Korea’s official tourism board, expressed concerns in mid-July about the foreign entry ban and whether or not the resort would be ready for international tourists. Despite unforeseen challenges, Vostok Intur remains optimistic and is proceeding with promotional activities for the resort. Intur envisions the resort to be the best of traditional North Korean architecture, embellished with modern luxuries.

The Kalma Resort remains a geographical fantasy for many Russians, and for a select few, the Kalma Resort unlocks a gateway for North Korean tourism. This resort caters to expectations for North Korean nostalgia and traditionalism with luxuries that modern beachtown resorts often lack. North Korea’s isolation from the rest of the world has made traveling to the country a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The Tour Experience: What’s Included

Vostok Intur’s tour is designed to provide North Korea’s comprehensive cultural and natural tour of North Korea. It includes guided tours where travelers visit Kalma Beach, famous for its sand and clean waters. Travelers are also provided with guided local tours to witness the daily lives of North Koreans, the local culture, and how the country is modernizing its tourism industry.

Daily, the tour includes important Wonsan landmarks and local cuisine sampling. Understanding the history and significance of every place visited is important and will be explained by the Russian-speaking tour guide, which adds value to the experience. Regardless of the limited access due to Western sanctions, Vostok Intur is committed to illustrating North Korea’s cultural tourism potential and urges travelers seeking unusual travel opportunities to join this extraordinary trip.

Tourism in North Korea: Opportunities and Obstacles

North Korea has always maintained a firm hold on its tourism sector. As a point of interest, the country has remained off the radar of international travelers. In recent years, however, there has been a modest, steady increase in foreign travelers, primarily from Russia and China. With the government attempting to attract more tourists to places like the Kalma Resort, its efforts are often counterproductive, given the country’s political landscape and strained ties with many Western countries.

The temporary suspension of foreign tourism at the Kalma Resort raises doubts about tourism development in North Korea. Resort re-opening, combined with the promotional efforts of the Vostok Intur agency, indicates a push from North Korea to assimilate into the international tourism market. Straining international relations aside, travelers looking for the off-the-beaten-track places may find Kalma Resort refreshingly unique and unforgettable.

Conclusion

The launch of Kalma Resort marks an important milestone not only for North Korea but for international travelers as well. There are still some hurdles to overcome, especially with the country’s ongoing political issues, but the all-inclusive tours at the resort allow tourists to make the most of North Korea’s stunning coastline and unique culture. North Korea’s tourism potential will be mainly driven by Russia and China for the foreseeable future, as demonstrated by Vostok Intur’s promotional tours.

Even with the recent suspension of tourism, the resort holds promise as a significant contributor to the economy and the tourism sector. The Kalma Resort offers an exceptional journey into one of the most captivating and enigmatic countries of the world, especially for those in search of adventure in a lesser-known region.

(Source: Yonhap News, Vostok Intur, North Korean Tourism Authority)