‘NO MALAYSIAN TOURISTS THERE’

Tours to isolated nation have been stopped, say travel agencies

TRAVEL agencies have confirmed that all tours to North Korea have been stopped and no Malaysian tourists are stranded there.

All 12 travel agencies listed under the North Korea Regional Representative Office for Southeast Asia and India said no tour had been organised due to lukewarm response from Malaysians.

A spokesman for Unforgettable Tour, a travel agency, said it had not organised any tour to North Korea this year.

Another tour agency said tours to North Korea had stopped since the murder of Kim Jongnam on Feb 13.

“We have decided to stop future tours there for safety reasons,” the spokesman told the

New Straits Times yesterday. Malaysian Association of Tours and Travel Agents (Matta) said it rarely promoted North Korea because of the unstable situation there.

“Safety of tourists is our priority,” said a Matta spokesman, adding that North Korea was not a favourable travel destination for Malaysians as there was no direct flight to the country.

A Southeast Asia travel representative said there was no Malaysian tourist in North Korea.

“April is the peak season in North Korea, but there’s no Malaysian tourist there.

“However, we are not aware if there’s any group planning to go there through other agencies.”

North Korea yesterday barred Malaysians from leaving.

There are 11 Malaysians in North Korea; three officers working with the Malaysian Embassy, six of their family members and two volunteers with the United Nations World Food Programme.

In response to Pyongyang’s order, Putrajaya then barred North Koreans from leaving Malaysia.