Skip to content
Toggle menu
SportsTravel SportsTravel

Breaking News, Podcasts and Analysis Serving People who Organize, Manage and Host Sports Events

Primary Menu
  • News
    • Hosts & Suppliers
    • Recently Awarded
    • Sports Organizations
    • Sports Venues
    • Sponsors & Media
  • IN DEPTH
    • Editor’s Picks
    • On Assignment
    • Perspectives
    • Technology in Sports
  • Podcasts
  • Sports
    • CATEGORY
      • Amateur Sports
      • Youth Sports
      • Collegiate Sports
      • Professional Sports
      • Olympic Sports
      • Paralympic Sports
      • National Governing Body
      • Adaptive Sports
      • Sustainability
      • Water Sports
      • Winter Sports
      • Women’s Sports
    • INDIVIDUAL SPORTS
      • Baseball
      • Basketball
      • Bowling
      • Cycling
      • Football
      • Golf
      • Gymnastics
      • Hockey
      • Lacrosse
      • Motorsports
      • Pickleball
      • Rugby
      • Running
      • Soccer
      • Softball
      • Swimming
      • Tennis
      • Track & Field
      • Triathlon
      • Volleyball
      • Wrestling
  • Esports
    • Esports News
    • Esports Guide
    • EsportsTravel Summit
  • Resources
    • Bid Bowl
    • Submission Form
      • About Bid Bowl
    • Destination Spotlight
    • Destination Guides
    • Downloadable Guides
    • Venue Guides
    • Media Kit
      • Media Kit
      • 2023 Editorial Calendar
    • Digital Edition
  • Subscribe
    • Subscribe to E-Newsletter
  • EVENTS
    • TEAMS CONFERENCE & EXPO
    • TEAMS Europe
    • EsportsTravel Summit
    • SportsTravel Road Trip
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Instagram


Home > Olympic Sports > Tourism Perspective: The DMZ

Tourism Perspective: The DMZ

Posted On : February 10, 2018 By : Jason Gewirtz

Part of the goal for the Pyeongchang Organizing Committee in hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games is showing off the rich cultural history of Pyeongchang and its surrounding counties in the hopes that when the cauldron flame is extinguished, tourism and travel can thrive here. To accomplish that goal, the committee has made several cultural tours available to members of the media, as well as the Olympic “family” of federations, broadcasters and executives. We will take a look at some of those efforts over the next few days, starting today with an exclusive tour SportsTravel was given of the DMZ—the demilitarized zone that since 1953 has marked a buffer zone between North and South Korea.

The prospect of this region promoting itself as a travel destination immediately gives one pause. After all, Pyeongchang sits less than 50 miles from the border of one of the most unpredictable and unknown nations on Earth in North Korea. And yet, the DMZ is not only an attraction, there is a modern museum at its coastal end that goes into great detail about the split between these two nations with the hopes that one day it can be a different time. And the museum, at least, is open to the public.

Built in 2008, the DMZ Museum contains relics of the Korean War and the aftermath that left a split North and South. That split—at least during the Games—has been minimized, something the organizing committee is hoping can last long enough to encourage people to come back to visit, or perhaps come for the first time after experiencing the Games on television. A touching end of the walkthrough at the museum contains handwritten notes from South Koreans seeking unification, or at least a more peaceful coexistence, displayed hanging from the ceiling of the museum as if they were tears falling.

Notes written by visitors at the end of the DMZ museum.

(On a lighter note, an enormous wall of speakers displayed to show the “psychological warfare” that each country inflicts on the other by blasting the sounds of propaganda messages (the North) or cheesy popular music (the South) across the border was blasting Air Supply’s “Making Love Out of Nothing at All” when our tour bus pulled up. It was surely the loudest volume at which that song has ever been played. Make of that what you like.)

Speakers that were used to blare pop music across the border. (Music is still played, just with different ones than showed here.)

We wish we could show you the last part of our trip to the DMZ, which was an exclusive look from Geumgangsan Observatory, also known as the 717 Observatory for its rise 717 meters at the Sea of Japan on the edge of the nations’ border. Because it is an active military operation, cameras were not allowed at this outpost that is only open to these special tours for the duration of the Games before they will be stopped. From the top of this outpost—the closest you can come to North Korea while in South Korea—we were treated to a look into North Korea from an auditorium with floor-to-ceiling windows, a soldier pointing to a model of the mountains we saw ahead of us and another soldier operating a television camera, moving around so we could see on a big screen the North Korean outposts over those hills, their occupants no doubt looking right back at us. It was a stunning display and one that balanced the optimistic finish at the museum to show that plenty more work needs to be done. But if political tensions can calm down following the world’s greatest sporting event, perhaps the museum and its surroundings will be appreciated by more people in the years to come.

Here’s a look inside one of the most interesting and thought-provoking museums you’ll ever visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Print
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Email
Posted in: Olympic Sports

Post navigation

George Barrios and Michelle Wilson Promoted to Co-Presidents of WWE
Curling Mixes Things Up

Follow us on Twitter

sportstravel

We are on location for the next few days at the #s We are on location for the next few days at the #superbowl to do some interviews and reporting on the scene in the buildup to Eagles and Chiefs on Sunday. Be sure to follow along!
Pro Bowl Games 2023 #probowl #football #flagfootb Pro Bowl Games 2023

#probowl #football #flagfootball #lasvegas @allegiantstadium @vegas @nfl #fans
There's so much to discover at the new Virginia Be There's so much to discover at the new Virginia Beach Sports Center! 285,000 square feet of convertible space can accommodate 12 basketball courts, 24 volleyball courts, nine field hockey courts, and a 200-meter hydraulically banked track—and it can hold up to 5,000 spectators to watch the action.
SportsTravel is on location in Philadelphia for th SportsTravel is on location in Philadelphia for the @unitedsoccercoaches Convention that starts tomorrow and lasts throughout the week. We’re looking forward to the next few days of connecting with friends old and new on location.
CES 2023 is going strong in Las Vegas. CES 2023 is going strong in Las Vegas.
Virginia Beach may be famous for its gorgeous outd Virginia Beach may be famous for its gorgeous outdoor spaces, but the city’s newest sports facility makes it a pleasure to be indoors. The @vbsportscenter is your premier sports facility in Virginia Beach, offering high-quality basketball, volleyball, field hockey, track & field facilities, and plenty of room for your team to shine. Find out more at https://vbsportscenter.com
Michigan won’t go away. What an instant classic. Michigan won’t go away. What an instant classic.
The TCU faithful have had a lot to cheer about in The TCU faithful have had a lot to cheer about in the first half.
The College Football Playoff kicks off with the fi The College Football Playoff kicks off with the first semifinal between TCU and Michigan at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona.
Some sights and sounds from the Rivalry Series gam Some sights and sounds from the Rivalry Series game between Team USA and Team Canada on December 15.
Hilary Knight tied the game for Team USA in the th Hilary Knight tied the game for Team USA in the third period of a Rivalry Series game with Team Canada on December 15.
Michelle Lupo, the business development manager fo Michelle Lupo, the business development manager for the @northstarmeets Sports Division, moderated a session today at the Illinois Governor’s Conference on Travel & Tourism, featuring Kara Bachman from the Chicago Sports Commission, Curtis Francois from World Wide Technology Raceway and John Groh from the Rockford Area CVB. Thank you for the opportunity to talk about sports-related travel!

@chisportscomm @wwtraceway @gorockford #travel #tourism #sportstravel #sportsbiz #sportsbusiness
The Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok kicks off wi The Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok kicks off with a 2 a.m. start Sunday to give runners the best conditions possible across the city. The Expo is taking place at Royal Paragon Hall, where runners can pick up their bibs and prepare for the race.

#marathon #running #sportsevents #sportstourism #sportstravel @tourismthailand
Thank you to @worldathletics and Mass Participatio Thank you to @worldathletics and Mass Participation World for the chance for SportsTravel Executive Editor and Publisher Jason Gewirtz to present the latest data on sports-related travel to delegates at the World Athletics Global Running Conference in Bangkok. Friday’s schedule also included remarks from the prime minister of Thailand and the country’s sports and tourism minister, who emphasized the importance of sports events to the nation’s economy and quality of life.

#athletics #thailand #bangkok #running #sportstravel #sportstourim @tourismthailand
Love high speed sports? We are at the @ibsfsliding Love high speed sports? We are at the @ibsfsliding World Cup event in Park City at @utaholympicpark this weekend. Friday morning’s action was the women’s monobob event, won by American Kaillie Humphries. Scroll through to see the #bobsled in action at full speed, then slow motion, and hear from Humphries after her win.
SportsTravel is in Bangkok, Thailand, this week mo SportsTravel is in Bangkok, Thailand, this week moderating sessions and presenting on sports-related travel at the @worldathletics Global Running Conference, including an opening day session on government relations in sports events featuring @sport_singapore, Portas Consulting, @laliga and @houstonsports_janis from the @hc_hsa who appeared virtually from Doha where she is attending the World Cup.
#sportstourism #sportstravel #mpw22 #wagrc
Winner buys dinner! When you bring your sports eve Winner buys dinner! When you bring your sports event to World Equestrian Center – Ocala, you can refuel with something heavenly from seven different on-site restaurants. From pub burgers and #taco salads to fine dining, WEC has a #winning option for everyone.
Twickenham Stadium in London is the largest rugby Twickenham Stadium in London is the largest rugby union stadium in the world, seating 82,000. The home of England Rugby, it is owned and operated by the Rugby Football Union and hosts events year round. 

#rugby #rugbyunion #twickenham @twickenhamstadium
Black in a sea of orange: the courage of the oppos Black in a sea of orange: the courage of the opposing fans.

@raiders @broncos @nfl #fans #raiderfans #broncofans @empowerfieldatmilehigh
One of the NFL’s best traditions is the @broncos One of the NFL’s best traditions is the @broncosthunderstorm skydivers who jump into Empower Field at Mile High before every @broncos game.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Recent Posts

  • Club América, Xolos de Tijuana to Meet in San Diego
  • Check Out The Proving Grounds
  • Cedar Point Sports Center Adds Esports Venue
  • Las Vegas Approves F1 Race Contract Through 2032
  • Paris 2024 Unveils Pictograms, Branding for Games
  • 2023 WWE SummerSlam Headed to Detroit
  • USA Cycling Bringing Championship Event to Pennsylvania
  • 2024 U.S. Olympic Boxing Trials Heads to Louisiana
Sports Travel Magazine

About Us

Since 1997, SportsTravel magazine has served the sports‐related travel and event industry. It is the only publication written and designed to serve the people who organize, manage and host sporting events of all types at all levels.

  • Subscribe to E-Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • SportsTravel Foundation
  • Supplied Content
  • Privacy
  • Terms

NORTHSTAR TRAVEL MEDIA SITES

  • Northstar Meetings Group
  • Meetings & Conventions
  • Meetings & Conventions Asia
  • Meetings & Conventions China
  • Successful Meetings
  • Incentive
  • Meeting News
  • Retail Travel
  • Travel Technology
  • Corporate Travel
  • Hotel Investment
  • Data Products
  • See All Northstar Brands

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

Sports ETA

Destinations International
Northstar Travel Media LLC Copyright © 2023 by Northstar Travel Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone: (201) 902-2000
scroll to top