N.Korea Attracts Increasing Number of Western Tourists

The number of European travelers to North Korea is on the rise.

Beijing-based Koryo Tours estimates 5,000 to 6,000 European tourists travel to the North annually. According to a pro-North Korea newspaper in Japan, foreign tourism in the North has increased by 20 percent in the first half of this year.

However, tour operators admit the number of American tourists has dipped since two of their countrymen were arrested in Pyongyang in April. North Korea has been heavily promoting outdoor adventure activities to attract more tourists to the Stalinist country.