When it comes to North Korean travel agents, there is a wide spectrum. On one end, there are the state-owned agencies, officially sanctioned and managed by the DPRK government. On the other end, there are second-tier agencies that are long established but work through local partners inside North Korea rather than being fully state-run themselves.
This article focuses mostly on these second-tier agencies, as they are responsible for the majority of tours offered to foreign visitors. There will be some limited discussion of the main state-owned travel companies, but the core of the market today lies with the second tier. There is also a third tier of agents, which tend to be resellers or smaller operations that piggyback off second-tier agencies rather than having the authority or capability to operate independently inside North Korea.
It is important to note that this article provides an outsider’s overview of the North Korean travel agency landscape. The aim is to offer a balanced and informative perspective rather than a promotional one.
Travel Agents in North Korea
The primary state-owned travel agency is KITC, the Korean International Travel Company. KITC is the original official DPRK travel agency, entrusted with managing foreign tourism since the country began opening up to visitors. Historically, KITC can be compared to Intourist, the Soviet Union’s government travel agency that oversaw controlled tourism. KITC remains a significant player and often acts as the main point of contact for government-approved tours.
Beneath KITC in prominence is the Korean Youth International Travel Company (KYITC). KYITC was initially founded to promote youth travel into North Korea, particularly focusing on ideological exchanges and cultural visits. Over time, as the country gradually opened to tourism, KYITC has grown to compete directly with KITC for foreign visitors. While still a state-run entity, it operates somewhat independently and has diversified its tour offerings.
Beyond these two major state agencies, there are multiple other officially sanctioned tourist companies within North Korea. Their exact numbers and names fluctuate, and many are less well known outside the country. These smaller agencies also compete for foreign tourism business, but KITC and KYITC remain the most visible and prominent on the international stage.
Leading North Korean Travel Agencies
Young Pioneer Tours has been operating for over 15 years and during much of that time ran the highest volume of tours into North Korea. In 2019, it brought more visitors into the DPRK than any other agency. Known for offering some of the cheapest tours, Young Pioneer Tours appeals to a fun-loving and adventurous clientele. Despite occasional controversies, the company has gained respect both inside and outside North Korea for its long-standing presence and the unique experiences it offers.
Koryo Tours has a longer history, having been involved with North Korea travel for over 30 years. It was once the largest agency by visitor numbers and ranked second in 2019 in terms of people brought into the country. Koryo tends to cater to an older, more professional crowd, and its tours are generally more expensive. The company is widely recognized for high-quality service and deep expertise in North Korean tourism.
Uri Tours was previously the biggest operator for American tourists, a market segment with specific restrictions and challenges. Although not as dominant today, Uri Tours remains a respected agency and ranks highly on many performance metrics. It maintains relevance by offering specialized tours that appeal to a particular demographic.
Other North Korean Travel Agencies
Lupine is the most well-known British North Korea travel company. It organizes numerous tours but typically uses local Chinese operators for on-the-ground guiding, rather than Western guides. Lupine is known for offering attractive prices but has been criticized by some for providing a less personalized or hands-on experience.
KTG is a western travel agency that has partnered with a Chinese company to offer tours. While KTG does not bring large numbers of visitors to North Korea, it is respected for its decent quality and service.
Juche Travel Service (website inactive) is best known for organizing aviation-related tours such as the Pyongyang Air Show. For other types of tours, it generally does not provide Western guides. Juche claims to be a “joint-venture” with North Korea, but is no more that than ant other operator?
Korea Konsult is among the older agencies with a reputation for experience and professionalism. It has historically attracted a regional clientele rather than an international one but is known for reliable service.
There are other agencies that claim to run tours to North Korea and show up on the search engines, such as Saiga Tours. It should though be noted that not only have they not ran tours to the country, but it is also ambiguous if they are even allowed to do so. Generally and as a rule if we have not listed the travel agency here then for the most part you should consider them a non-entity, regardless of hat they claim.
North Korean Travel Agents and Friendship Associations
Visit the DPRK runs its own tours or partners with agencies like Young Pioneer Tours. It is more politically active and often organizes specialized tours that focus on ideological or political aspects of the DPRK experience.
The Korean Friendship Association is not officially a travel agency but operates similarly. It is known for being relatively expensive and has been involved in legal controversies. Due to these issues, its website is generally not linked in mainstream travel resources – and nor do we link to them.
Cultural Travel Agencies in North Korea
Chosun Exchange focuses more on cultural workshops, training, and exchanges rather than standard tourist packages. While it does facilitate travel inside North Korea, its programs are usually centered around educational or cultural themes.
Chinese-Based North Korean Travel Agents
There are several Chinese-based agencies offering tours to North Korea. These range from one-day trips to the border city of Sinuiju to fully inclusive multi-day tours. Chinese group tours represent the cheapest way to visit the DPRK, but they often involve traveling with large groups of Chinese tourists and may feature limited or imperfect translation services. This setup can lead to a less immersive experience for non-Chinese-speaking visitors.
From a practical standpoint, many outside observers consider traveling with Chinese groups to be less worthwhile, as the small cost savings are often outweighed by the restrictions imposed by large groups and language barriers.
Former North Korean Travel Agencies
Tongil Tour was run by Alex Sigley, who claimed never to have had a guest arrested during his time operating tours. Nevertheless, Sigley himself was arrested, and Tongil Tour ceased operations. Ironically they spoke out a lot about how they avoided getting arrested in the DPRK….
Paektu Cultural Exchange began as a joint venture with Young Pioneer Tours but later became independent under Michael Spavor. It aimed to create a platform similar to the Pyongyang Project but eventually folded after Spavor’s arrest in China. Its domain is currently for sale.
The Pyongyang Project focused more on social and cultural exchanges than traditional tourism. It was once a significant player but gradually disappeared from the scene. Some of its online assets still remain, though the project is inactive.
North Korean Travel Agency Event Websites
In addition to standard travel agency websites, some sites exist primarily to promote specific events. These event websites often blur the line between independent promotion and agency marketing.
Examples include:
- The Pyongyang Marathon website, ran by Koryo Tours, which offers information on the annual marathon event in the DPRK.
- The Aviation Show Committee site, operated by Juche Travel Services during years they managed the Pyongyang Air Show.
- Various Pyongyang Golf websites, which promote golf tournaments held in North Korea and are often extensions of tour operators’ marketing efforts.
Choosing the Best North Korean Travel Agency
When choosing a travel agency for North Korea, the age and experience of the company can be a good indicator of trustworthiness and reliability. However, longevity alone does not guarantee quality.
Cost is another consideration, but the decision ultimately depends on individual budget and priorities. It is important to recognize that once inside North Korea, most agencies work with the same local operators, meaning the differences in tours tend to lie in pre-trip services, additional experiences outside the country, and the overall atmosphere.
Perhaps most importantly, prospective travelers should consider the social environment and group dynamic of the tour. Since trips typically last a week or more, the kind of people you will spend time with can significantly affect the experience. Different agencies cultivate distinct clienteles, so selecting a company with a vibe and style that matches your preferences is crucial.