North Korea's new ‘Benidorm' resort mysteriously BANS foreign tourists days after opening – following years of delays
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
NORTH Korea has mysteriously banned foreign tourists from its shiny new seaside resort just days after opening - following years of hype and farcical delays.
Dubbed the "North Korean Benidorm", Wonsan-Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone was supposed to spearhead Kim Jong-un's drive to boost international tourism - but the fun is over already.
13
Kim has closed off his new tourist resort to all foreigners
Credit: Reuters
13
The sea did not look particularly inviting for the first batch of visitors
Credit: AFP
13
Kim waved to adoring fans at an opening ceremony at the end of June
Credit: AFP
13
A North Korean man makes the most of the water park at Wonsan after it opened
Credit: AFP
The Costa del Sol-inspired resort - complete with beaches, waterparks and a strip - had been promoted to international tourism markets.
Wonsan threw open its doors to much fanfare on July 1, with footage showing Kim beaming in front of jack-rabbiting crowds and sitting back watch "volunteers" fly down waterslides.
But then a notice popped up on the national tourism website slapping a "temporary" ban on all overseas visitors.
According to state-run North Korean news, a group of 15 Russian holidaymakers rocked up last week - around the same time Russia's Foreign Minster Sergei Lavrov visited Kim in Wonsan.
Lavrov heaped praise on the "good tourist attraction" and said he hoped it would become a popular hols spot for Russians.
NK News said the Russians had been "wowed" by "lavish ten-dish meals", "eerily good service" and "endless beaches".
Other eager Russians will no doubt be disappointed to miss out on this mind-boggling experience.
And a Russian tour guide previously told NK News that they had planned several more trips to the resort in the coming months - but not anymore.
The chance of other international travellers being permitted a peak behind the curtain is looking evermore remote.
Hundreds of Brits put their name down when a travel firm, On The Beach, set up a page for people to express their interest in visiting Wonsan.
Kim Jong Un sheds tears over North Korean troops killed in Ukraine
The city is where Kim spent much of his youth, among holiday villas, maritime infrastructure - and missile facilities.
The dictator oversaw the project himself, and was reportedly inspired by the way Europeans choose to holiday in countries like Spain.
He is even said to have dispatched a team to the Costa del Sol to take notes and report back.
The result is a 2.5-mile stretch of beachfront lined with restaurants, hotels for 20,000 people, shopping malls and water park.
13
Kids were pictured splashing around in the swimming pool
Credit: AFP
13
The strip running along Wonsan before it was officially opened
Credit: AFP
13
A mock-up of Kim on Spain's Costa del Sol - which is said to have inspired Wonsan
13
Kim has proudly inspected the construction project several times over the years - and returned at the end of June for a bizarre opening ceremony.
And declared that the completed project would go down as 'one of the greatest successes this year' and hailed the site as 'the proud first step' towards a thriving tourism industry.
But the work did not always go according to plan - and was repeatedly stalled by a range of problems.
At one point, the site was even overrun by homeless wanderers - known as "kotjebi" in North Korea - who filled the empty hotels with faeces.
13
Kim cutting the ceremonial ribbon
Credit: AFP
13
These ladies braved the grey weather and took to Wonsan's beach
Credit: AFP
13
Kim shows his daughter Kim Ju Ae around the inside of one of the hotels
Credit: Reuters
If overseas visitors are ever allowed in, campaigners have warned that nobody's safety is assured.
Greg Scarlatoiu, director of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, said a trip there would be unsafe and immoral.
He said: 'The Wonsan-Kalma resort was built with forced labour. Vacationing there is morally and ethically wrong – it is truly an abomination.
'Having Russian nationals vacation there is testament to the pathetic isolation of both Russia and North Korea.'
Past tourists in the country have even lost their lives.
Greg gave the example of Otto Warmbier, an American student arrested on dubious charges during a trip to Pyongyang in 2016.
Accused of taking down a propaganda poster, he was detained for 17 months.
13
The dictator said the new opening marked a new chapter in North Korea's tourism industry
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Holidaymakers urged to avoid one packing mistake or 'risk delays' at airport
Holidaymakers have been encouraged to avoid making a common packing mistake or they could face delays at the airport. It's super easy to do, but travellers have been told to ditch the habit With the summer holidays in full swing, lots of Brits are heading on holidays and looking for all sorts of packing hacks to make their journeys easier. However, when sorting out your cases, there's one big rule you may want to follow if you don't want to risk delays at the airport. When you travel abroad, it can be hard to decide what to pack, as most people like to try and cover all weather eventualities with their clothing choices. But - if you're someone who likes to try and squeeze in as much as possible - you may want to think again, as your bulky suitcase could land you in a spot of bother at the airport. Travel tip sharer Taylor, known as taytrox_travel on TikTok, recently said airports are becoming "strict" on how much luggage you carry on. So, if you want to travel with ease, you may want to follow some essential packing advice. Taylor said: "If you're packing a carry on and using that expansion zipper to squeeze in as many outfits as possible, I'm telling you now, do not do it. Airlines have gotten so strict in the last few months, and they are cracking down hard. "Even if your bag fits in the overhead bin, if it's just expanded just a tiny bit, they'll make you check and - no - your first class ticket isn't going to save you either. It doesn't matter how much you paid or how early you boarded." She added: "If it's not zipped to its original size and it's expanded, you're not carrying it on. And - here's the kicker - they're not even letting you gate check it anymore. "You'll be sent all the way back to the desk like it's a full-time bag and that means more waiting, more stress and more chances your bag gets lost in the chaos. So don't risk it - repack that carry on and keep that expansion zipper flat and play it safe. "Trust me. No outfit is worth missing your flight or waiting an hour in baggage claim." Though Taylor is based in America, UK airports actually have strict rules when it comes to suitcases too. Most airlines require your suitcase to close fully and, in some instances, bulky suitcases can result in extra fees. While expandable bags are common in the UK, whether you can use them depends on whether it's a carry on or checked bag and the airline's specific size and weight restrictions. Oversized bags are usually accepted as checked baggage, but can include extra fees. In UK airports, bulky carry on bags are generally not allowed in the cabin. Airlines have specific size and weight restrictions for carry on luggage and, if bags exceed these limits, they are usually required to be checked in as hold luggage and fees may apply. There are a few rules you need to follow or you could end up being delayed at the airport. Since Taylor's video has been shared, many people commented. They all opened up about their different travel experiences. One person said: "We were just on a flight from Vegas to Seattle and they made an announcement that, if they see a zipper expanded, they will make you check it when we were at the gate." Another wrote: "Good to know - thanks girl." Meanwhile, a third shared a different experience, adding: "Just flew this week. Took five different flights. Each had multiple people travelling with expanded bags. No issues."
.jpg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26auto%3Dwebp%26quality%3D75%26trim%3D0%2C1%2C0%2C0%26crop%3D&w=3840&q=100)
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
'I went to Barcelona during a tourism protest, but everyone I met was friendly'
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Over-tourism is plaguing many cities throughout Europe but Ralph Blackburn found nothing but friendliness on a wonderful break in Barcelona, definitely a must-visit destination. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Through a gap in the trees, the city of Barcelona unfurls below me, with the bright blue Mediterranean sparkling in the distance. The iconic boulevard of Las Ramblas slices through the apartment blocks, while Antoni Gaudí's Sagrada Família stands high above every other building. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I'm sitting in another creation of the architect, Park Güell - a mazy and surrealist array of gardens and buildings which looks out over the rest of the city. Gaudí was influenced by the English garden city movement, which led to using the name 'Park', however his creation could not be further from places like Welwyn. Tourists visit Park Guell in Barcelona on October 11, 2024. Credit: Getty | AFP via Getty Images To visit Park Güell people now have to book in advance, and places like Gaudí's house require additional tickets. On the world famous Dragon Steps, tourists throng and crowd to take photos, however after walking up the slopes I find a quiet spot to myself, where the only noise is the birds. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With complaints from locals of overtourism, it's lovely to know you can still find a peaceful place to enjoy the stunning views of Barcelona by yourself. Inside the hotel room There are certainly many reasons to book a trip to the Catalan city at the moment. The Sagrada Família is due to be finally finished in the next few years, while the city's footballing church, FC Barcelona's Camp Nou, will have its renovations completed in time for the coming season. EasyJet is set to introduce direct flights from Leeds Bradford Airport later this year, while Ryanair is increasing its options across the country. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Despite the reports of tourism protests, I found all Catalans incredibly welcoming. People rest in the shade or sunbathe at a park near the Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona. (Photo by Manaure QUINTERO / AFP) (Photo by MANAURE QUINTERO/AFP via Getty Images) However, it's important to travel respectfully, and a good starting point is to stay at a hotel instead of an AirBnB - which locals say are bumping up housing prices. We're staying at the four-star Hotel Pulitzer, an easy ride on the A1 bus from the airport, which is a stone's throw from Plaça de Catalunya and Las Ramblas. It's a modernised version of a historic art deco building, renovated by celebrated painter and interior designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad View from La Pedrera at night However, the new design still holds onto the building's heritage, with the retro lobby bar and cast iron railings from the balconies overlooking the street. The rooms are spacious, sharp and modern, and there are nice touches towards sustainability - with guests able to fill up their glass water bottles at taps located on each floor. Its central location, straddling between the historic Gothic Quarter and the neighbourhood of Eixample that was designed by Barcelona's legendary urban planner Ildefons Cerdà, meant we hardly had to use public transport at all. Hotel Pulitzer. Credit: Hotel Pulitzer | Hotel Pulitzer. Credit: Hotel Pulitzer It's a short 10-minute stroll to Barcelona Cathedral and Palau del Lloctinent, and in the latter you can still see Hebrew inscriptions in the stones as the building was constructed with gravestones from the Jewish cemetery upon Montjuïc. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Grab a vermouth from one of the many bars in the Plaza De la Torre Romana, where you can see some of the walls from the original Roman settlement of Barcino. Then head into the trendy barrio of El Born for some shopping and tapas. The labyrinth of alleys is filled with independent shops, restaurants and bars. Bar del Pla is an old fashioned tapas joint, while El Disnet does a modern take on Spanish classics. Keep an eye out of bodegas, which translates to an old fashioned wine bar. El Born is also home to the Museu Picasso, which is a fascinating look into the artist's early life and his relationship with the Catalan city. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A sculpture entitled 'Flora', by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa is displayed during 'Jaume Plensa, poetry of silence' exhibition in front of Spanish architect Antonio Gaudi's "Casa Mila" building, commonly known as "La Pedrera" in Barcelona. | AFP via Getty Images In the evening we head to Casa Mila, the last private residence designed by Gaudí in the early 20th century, which is a surrealist, curved apartment block on the famous Passeig de Gràcia. Known as La Pedrera ( which translates to 'the Quarry' for its stony appearance, it's an absolute must see. You have to book ahead and can visit during the day, but I would advise attending at night when you get a spectacular light display from the rooftop, which is finished off with a glass of cava. On Fridays, they also hold jazz concerts on the roof. In the morning, after a delicious breakfast of pan con tomate and iberico ham at the Pulitzer we head to some of Barcelona's famous markets. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mercat de la Boqueria is the most famous, but for a cheaper and more authentic experience head to Mercat de Sant Antoni, which is about a 15 minute walk west. In the narrow streets on the way take a look in some of the independent shops. Sant Antoni is also a great, non-touristy neighbourhood for a drink or some food, and Can Vilaro is the perfect spot to try Barcelona's famous hearty workman's breakfast known as esmorzar de forquilla. The new star atop the Sagrada Familia basilica's tower of Virgin Mary shines during the inauguration. Credit: Getty | AFP via Getty Images Obviously no trip to Barcelona is complete without a visit to Gaudí's incredible church, the Sagrada Família. You must book at least two weeks in advance to be safe, and give yourself a couple of hours to explore this mesmerising building. The architect, a devout catholic, started designing the basilica in 1883, combining the city's traditional gothic style with some art nouveau forms. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad By the time Gaudí died in 1926 only a quarter of the building was completed, which included the majority of the nativity facade. It's due to be finished in the next few years, however is still a must visit - and if you think the exterior looks spectacular, it's even more beautiful on the inside with the dazzling multi-coloured stained glass windows. For our final dinner we venture up to Terrassa Martinez on Montjuïc, the Jewish mountain, for a delicious paella, looking out over the city. The next day, before departing, there's time to fit in the set lunch in the Pulitzer Hotel's Greenhouse Restaurant. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This is very reasonable at €26 for three courses and nice and fresh, compared with some of the heavy meals we have had over the last few days. A wonderful end to a stunning city break.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Holidaymakers heading to Turkey this summer urged to make this check before travelling
Turkey is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world. New advice has been issued to tourists travelling to Turkey this summer. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its travel advice for holidaymakers flying to Turkey following a new ban which could cause 'serious issues' for Brits. The FCDO is the UK government department responsible for protecting and promoting British interests around the world. It often informs people about the latest travel changes, offering key advice before people make a journey abroad. Last week, the country introduced a ban on eSIMs, reportedly blocking access to numerous global eSIM platforms including Airalo, Holafly, Saily, Nomad, Instabridge and more. Tourists will now need to purchase local sim cards or incur extortionate roaming fees to use their mobile data, unless they make this important change at the airport. Following the announcement, the FCDO said: "Access to some e-sim services is restricted in Turkey. Check with your provider before travelling." The country is hugely popular with tourists, boasting a number of resorts, and visited by millions from the UK. When travelling abroad, many people like to use international eSIMs, but anyone planning to do so in Turkey should be aware of a new regulation. Travel expert at Holafly Juan David Soler, has issued a warning to all British holidaymakers to act fast and make changes before they take off for their favourite Turkish resort, reports Liverpool Echo. He said: "Turkey's sudden ban on eSIMs has caught many travellers off guard, and it's vital that UK holidaymakers heading there this summer take action before they fly. "eSIMs have become the go-to option for Brits wanting affordable mobile data abroad without the hassle of physical SIMs or costly roaming. But now, travellers will no longer be able to activate a new eSIM once they arrive in Turkey. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The travel expert continued: "To avoid getting caught out, UK travellers should ensure their eSIM is fully downloaded and activated before leaving the UK. "This means setting up your digital SIM while still on UK networks, and confirming it's working properly before departure. Otherwise, you could be left without internet access the moment you land, which can be a serious issue if you rely on your phone for maps, transport, or bookings." If you choose to travel, you should research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. To enter Turkey, your passport must have an 'expiry date' at least 150 days after the date you arrive and at least one blank page. You should check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements and renew your passport if you need to.
