Development ideas

for coastal areas.

Ktenas Panagiotis

A little about me

Academic background in
International
Relations, Economics,
Urban Planning, Marine
engineering
Currently employed in
Maritime Industry
Serial Entrepreneur
(failed a hundred
times!)
Founding member and
marketing director on
Triple-A

Tourisms
Benefits

currency

Tourisms
Benefits

Global
Trends

Global trends and how do they

affect Wonsan case

Global
Trends

Global
Trends

Global
Trends

Global
Trends

-an increasing vertical and horizontal consolidation

of large tour operators/providers
-can ecotourism and sustainable tourism be the
way forward?

Global
Trends

Global
Trends

Ministry of Tourism in Greece tourism is not anymore a

product or a service, but shall be a holistic
experience

Global
Trends
Can DPRK

benefit from existing trends?

What are the comparative advantages vis--vis other

tourist destinations?
DPRK proximity to CHINA can be a significant plus. There is also
a global trend for young Europeans/Americans to travel to
places that are untouched from global influences. Case of
Cuba.

State few.

Main
Actors

Main actors in the backstage of

marine tourism development

Main
Actors

/1/
Land use development
decisions for tourism
which are made by
governments at the
national and/or local
level.

/2/
Real estate
development
industry, mostly
private sectorspeculation? No long
term investment?
Actors of coastal
Development

/4/
Tourism consumers
and consumer
demand demand
drives development

/3/
Tourism operators such
as hotel chain and
cruise lines

Main
Actors

who
sells

go to
Customer/
Tourist

Travel agent

prepared
by

Travel package

Which is the role

of internet?
Travel operator/
inbound/outbound

Main
Actors
Types of investments FDI (Foreign Direct Investments),
state funds, microfinance, hedge funds
What about profits? Reinvestment- supporting different phases
of touristic development or use in promoting different public
projects?

PROBLEM: Partners and investors might be unwilling to

participate due to the fear of being blacklisted.
SOLUTION?:An institution of global status guaranteeing that
profits return just to tourism

Main
Actors
Which development actors do you believe that are more
relevant to DPRK case?
Are there international financial institutions that can facilitate
above development? Government responsibility in

infrastructure development and land use planning?

Remember that coastal/marine tourism is a

capital intensive and can be high risk investments.

Main
Actors

What do the main actors appreciate much?

Main
Actors

Well you know, there are two things

Main
Actors

Main
Actors

Main
Actors

legal framework

Main
Actors

Ok, I know these were three

Main
Actors

What is the legal framework of SEZ?

Is it well articulated openly and clearly to potential
investors?
Is it available online in English?
Is there a webpage of Ministry of Tourism with all
relevant data uploaded?
And what about data? Are they accurate based on
proper statistical analysis/ Do they have a historical
depth such as trends to be obvious?
Tax? Work salaries?

Dangers

Hidden Dangers and safeguards

in marine tourism projects

Not well planned tourism development can

result to serious impacts to the society and
environment.

Dangers

Real cases worldwide:

-negative effects on habitat integrity and
increased threat to vulnerable species (ex. coral
reefs)
-land erosion/degradation due to clearing out
littoral forest and anarchic infrastructure
development
-water pollution, algae blooms, usually because
of raw sewage coming from hotels and solid
waste
-natural resource consumption
-employee housing, schools, sewage treatment
and transportation.
-over-developed tourist resorts, resulted into
loosing their initial appeal

We are looking to develop HEALTHY

marine tourism

Dangers

leakage
(profits from services provided in the
destination country leak out to
developed countries)//usually relevant
to cruise industry

We are looking to develop HEALTHY

marine tourism

Dangers

balance
We need balance between cruise
tourism development and the older,
well established land-based, stayover
tourism

We are looking to develop HEALTHY

marine tourism

Dangers

short term relationship?

coastal residential tourism
development is that it is often more
about real estate speculation than long
term investment
The case of marinas and golf courses!

We are looking to develop HEALTHY

marine tourism

Dangers

short term relationship or local

partnerships/part 2
businesses shall generally be owned
by locals or by long term foreign
residents who have an investment in the
host country and are more inclined to
think and act in ways that promote long
term social and environmental
sustainability.

We are looking to develop HEALTHY

marine tourism

Dangers

Which do you believe might be

the hidden dangers behind
Wonsans tourist development?
Specify Wonsans peculiarities.

We are looking to develop HEALTHY

marine tourism

Case Study

Tanzania as a case study

Lets see the map

Case Study

Lets see few photos

Case Study
Tanzania

Lets see few photos

Case Study
Tanzania

Climate

Case Study
Tanzania

Tanzania as a case study.

Tanzania is very close to the equator so its climate is different
from that of DPRK (equatorial winter dry).
It is an interesting case study because it managed to combine in
tourist packages marine (Zanzibar/marine parks) and land
attractions (national parks for safari/Kilimanjaro). Something
similar can happen to DPRK.
The vast majority of tourists visit Zanzibar AND a "northern
circuit" of Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro
Conservation Area (NCA), Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara
National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro.

Case Study
Tanzania

Tanzanias slogan and marketing.

Tanzania: The Land of Kilimanjaro

and Zanzibar

Case Study
Tanzania

Tanzanias success.
-sun-and-safari tourism products integrating famous wildlife
parks and coastal destinations into ten-day or two-week
itineraries.
-high-priced, low volume ecotourism model
-World Bank invested heavily in creation of national parks,
protected areas, infrastructure, and support for communitybased and small enterprise development, in mid 90s.
-leading tour operators have formed alliances with Tanzanian
firms to represent them for ground services
-USAID project in Tanzania has trained village women to
establish their own enterprises and increase handicraft sales to
tourists.

Case Study
Tanzania

Tanzanias success.
-Cruise Indian Ocean Association has been formed to
promote cruise tourism throughout the broader region.
Cruise tourism is a component of coastal tourism
industries in Tanzania (particularly Zanzibar).
-Great future potential for further expansion is a MUST
-Macroeconomic growth seems to be good expanding
annually almost 6%, tourism being also a driver of
above growth
-tourism being 17% of GDP in Tanzania
-Piracy and lack of infrastructure, as well as distance
from source markets???can be an issue

Case Study
Tanzania

Wonsan
case

Can Wonsan
become DPRK Riviera, a world
class tourist city?

Wonsan
case

-Goals?A healthy development of tourism-respect of

environment, social, and economic preconditions on
coastal and marine areas

Wonsan
case

Climate? Comparison, lets say with Greece

DPRK

GREECE

Wonsan
case

Climate? Comparison, lets say with Greece

DPRK

GREECE

Wonsan
case

Climate? Comparison, lets say with Greece

DPRK

GREECE

Wonsan
case

Climate?

Wonsan
case

Climate
Even if DPRKs climate isnt as temperate (Mediterranean) as the
one in Greece, still opportunities do exist for marine tourism to
expand.
We have to take under consideration the climate and the microclimate of the region in order to establish a better understanding
of what might succeed or not.
The adjacency of Wonsan to coastal front and mountains can be
a bonus for a full season tourism.
Can you share more about regions climate?

Wonsan
case

Geomorphology & Infrastructure in place?

Wonsan
case

Geomorphology & Infrastructure in place?

Kalma peninsula which projects 5 km into the bay from
the south protects Wonsan harbor from waves coming
from the east. Which are the prevailing winds in the
region? Can they be exploited for touristic purposes?
Existing harbors draft is of crucial importance for
cruise shipping. (7m or more?) Can harbor facilitate
larger vessels? Are smaller launch boats available to
the region?

Geomorphology & Infrastructure in place?

Is there proper infrastructure in place, with special

emphasis to port connections? How Wonsan is
connected domestically and with the rest of the world?
The crucial role of nearby KULMA airport and existing
road connections to the capital.
Existing mapping of beaches and adjacent coast
depths- based on beach synthesis/morphology,
different means of touristic development shall be
applied. A sandy beach with enough depth/width
might be more suitable for development.

Wonsan
case

Wonsan
case

Finding the right spot!

Wonsan
case

Legal framework/environment
No need to overstate that legal clarity is a must for any
investment to take place in tourism industry. Existing legal
framework for SEZ?
Any investor even if investment has to do with construction of a
hotel- has a business horizon of 25 years. An investment of such
duration, makes any investor to show due diligence of
countrys macroeconomics and economic and political stability.
Freedom of movement and safety of tourists shall also be of
paramount importance and consideration.

Wonsan
case

More questions to answer

Which are to your understanding the competitive advantages for
Wonsan region , in relation to other touristic places in the
broader region?
Are there any other touristic attractions nearby? What about Mt.
Kumgang? Think about other tourist activities, such as mountain
marathons, trekking, and cycling. Creating touristic packages
that have an eco friendly label.
Which countries are the most probable candidates to support
tourism in Wonsan? Past experiences?

Wonsan
case

Have you ever wondered ?

That one of DPRK and Wonsans competitive
advantages is remoteness and uniqueness?
A cultural and political uniqueness which result into a
mystery that US/European/Japanese tourists will be
willing to pay handsomely in order to

Discover ?

Strengths

Weaknesses

Pristine Environment
Excellent Hospitality
Cultural Uniqueness
Currency ratio- labor cost
Morphology-adventure tourism
Huge potential for further
development
Architecture-Boulevards-Parks

Opportunities

Underdeveloped infrastructure (roads,

electrical grid, communications,
marinas, etc)
Clarity of legal framework
Experience and knowledge on tourism
management
Lack of funds
Detailed master plan in tourism and
establishment of DMOs
(state/regional/local level)
Climate
e-technologies
Marketing
Threats

Global trends of tourism

Expanding middle class in China
Ecotourism as a magnet to pristine
environments
Unique experience
Domestic tourism of short duration
Medical-Athletic-Conference tourism

New high quality low cost touristic

destinations- competition
Existing sanctions and isolation
Safety and Security Concerns
Global economic recession
Coordination and execution of
investments in tourism

Wonsan
case

Soft development
projects

Low Cost
marine tourism projects

Soft development
projects

Beach
development
Water sportsactivities
Air sports-activities

Under Water sports-activities

Soft development
projects

Beach Development
I.
II.
III.
IV.

Umbrellas with sunbeds

Beach bars
Beach volleyball and beach tennis courts
Auxiliary facilities (docks, life-guard towers, etc.)

Soft development
projects

Beach Development- things to remember

I.
II.
III.
IV.

Beach width <5m } no umbrellas

5m<Beach width <8m } 1 series of umbrellas
Beach width >8m } 2 series of umbrellas
The umbrella-sunbeds sets coverage must not exceed the
50% of the beach length (i.e. if the beach is 200m long, you
are allowed to have umbrellas on 100m of the waterfront
V. Every 50m of umbrella-sunbeds sets, there must be a
50cm-wide passageway to allow access to the water
VI. Each umbrella-sunbeds set must occupy at least 16 sq.m.
so that that bathers are not crammed
VII. The umbrella-sunbeds sets must be at least 3-5m away
from the waterfront

Soft development
projects

Umbrellas-Sunbeds Configurations

Soft development
projects

Umbrellas-Sunbeds Configurations

Soft development
projects

Umbrellas-Sunbeds Configurations

Soft development
projects

Beach Bar

Soft development
projects

Beach Volley Courts

Soft development
projects

Water Sports-Activities
I. Man powered
II. Motor powered
III. Wind powered

Soft development
projects

Man-powered Water Sports-Activities

I. Water parks
II. Swimming
III. Water polo
IV. Canoe-kayak
V. Pedal boat, sea buggy
VI. Surfboard

Soft development
projects

General Guidelines for Water Parks

I. Max area occupied = 1500 sq. m.
II. The floating leisure articles must be anchored
III. Able to operate at winds of 5 bofors
IV. Depth required = 0.5m-2m
V. The area has to be fenced and marked with buoys
VI. The water toys have to be taken onshore during the night
VII. In case of large volume they remain in the water, but they
need a light

Soft development
projects

Aqua Volley Courts

Soft development
projects

Inflatable Water Parks

Soft development
projects

General Guidelines for Man-powered Crafts

I.

Do not use when the weather conditions are adverse

II. Do not use during the night
III. Safe operating distance = up to 500m from the shore
IV. Use life vests

Soft development
projects

Canoe Kayak

Soft development
projects

Pedal Boat Sea Buggy

Soft development
projects

Aqua Bike

Soft development
projects

Surf

Soft development
projects

Motor-powered Water Sports-Activities

I.

Water-ski, Wakeboarding
II. Towable tubes, seats, rings, etc.
III. Jet-ski
IV. Hovercrafts
V. Power surf boards

Soft development
projects

General Guidelines for Motor-powered Crafts

I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.

Do not use on rocky beaches

Do not use during the night
Equipped with quick-stop system when man overboard
Engine remote stop system with a range of 1 km
Use a floating dock or a buoy for mooring
When transiting there, use a marked water corridor of 7-15m width with
a speed of less than 5 kt
VII. Distance from the shore to operate

>200m from the buoys indicating swimmers area

>300m from the swimmers area when there are no buoys

Speed < 5kt within a distance of 500m from the shore when there
are no swimmers

Soft development
projects

Modular Floating Docks

Soft development
projects

Water Ski

Soft development
projects

Towable Water Toys

Soft development
projects

Jet Ski

Soft development
projects

Power Surf Board

Soft development
projects

Wind-powered Water Sports-Activities

I.

Wind surfing
II. Sailing

Soft development
projects

Wind Surf

Soft development
projects

Air Sports-Activities
I. Kitesurfing
II. Parasailing
III. Fly board

Soft development
projects

Kite surfing

Soft development
projects

Parasailing

Soft development
projects

Soft development
projects

Underwater Sports-Activities
I. Scuba diving
II. Snorkeling
III. Seascooters
IV. Submarine tours

Soft development
projects

Scuba Diving Snorkeling

Soft development
projects

Sea Scooters

Soft development
projects

Submarine Tours

Soft development
projects

Which of the above can be implemented in Wonsan

and Why?

Have you considered :

Climate-Morphology of Wonsan
Expected tourists and their needs (domesticinternational)
Initial investment and ROI
Legal framework
~pause & DISCUSSION~

Future?

Wonsans
future and ideas to proceed.

Future?
Which of the below measures, do you believe
that can facilitate marine tourism in Wonsan?

/1/formulate a state tourism policy

/2/establish a well defined business
framework
/3/ funding based on microfinance of small
tourist projects
/4/ proper training of locals
/5/collaboration with outside providers, for
exchange of knowledge/ experience
/6/ establish a clear land use planning
/7/private-community tourism joint ventures
/8/investment forum on Wonsan

Future?
A destination marketing organization (DMO)
or convention and visitors bureau (CVB) is an
organization that promotes a town, city,
region, or country in order to increase the
number of visitors. It promotes the
development and marketing of a destination,
focusing on convention sales, tourism
marketing, and services.
Such organizations promote economic
development of a destination by increasing
visits from tourists and business travelers,
which generates overnight lodging for a
destination, visits to restaurants, and
shopping revenues and are typically funded by
taxes.

Future?

As tourists multiply, a critical mass might be

achieved from which point and later on it will
be self promoted.

Future?

The way forward

A master plan of development shall be issued
that will take under consideration all
parameters that have been discussed plus a
feasibility study and environmental
assessment. Urban planning shall be done on
central governmental level, and must include
land planning, dwelling houses building,
sewage treatment, telecommunications
improvement/internet, power/electrical
facilities, tourist facilities, transforming
Wonsan into a central node of tourist
connection.

An icon city!

One last thing

Marketing in tourism
industry is extremely
important

Can Wonsans tourist slogan be?

A socialist utopia on earth

Or, how about

Be adventurous Wonsan, an
unspoiled land!

Lets do tourism together

Ktenas Panagiotis