About the Author
Gareth Johnson
Gareth Johnson is the CEO of Young Pioneer Tours, a travel company that specializes in tourism to countries including North Korea, Cuba and Iran.
Get behind the headlines
Opinion Why North Korean tour operators are optimistic about growthChinese numbers to DPRK are dropping significantly, but Western operators remain optimistic The announcement that Spring Airlines has abandoned plans to run regular budget flights from Shanghai to Pyongyang came as no great surprise. I, like many others involved in the DPRK tourism industry, never seriously believed the venture would come to fruition. Why it failed is unknown, but the new sanctions, limitations on freedom of movement and the general hassle of dealing with North Korean officialdom all must have played a part. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. |