North Korea is seeking English speaking travelers to help educate the next generation of tourism workers in the secretive state.
A new volunteer program has been launched at Pyongyang Tourism College for qualified English speakers to teach English language skills and tourism studies to North Korean students.
Organized by Juche Travel Services (JTS), a certified travel company, people with a Tefl (teaching English as a foreign language) qualification or experience in tourism management are being sought for month-long teaching assignments.
JTS says it offers "unparalleled levels of interaction and engagement with local Koreans."
"The country has made it clear that it is looking to grow its tourism sector in the coming years," said David Thompson of JTS.
"To do so will require both international tourism expertise and foreign language skills."
The scheme costs €1000 for each volunteer which includes travel expenses, accommodation and excursions within the country.
Primarily a destination for Chinese tourists, North Korea receives about 6,000 western tourists a year on organized tours through registered agencies, although access remains highly restricted with stage-managed visits to local communities.
The country has been gradually reaching out to the global tourism industry promoting itself at last year’s World Travel Market in London and recently at a Swiss travel trade event.
