The North Korean government of Kim Jong-un is planning a Mediterranean ‘costa’-style beach resort, taking its inspiration from emblematic tourism hotspots in Spain, including Benidorm and Salou.

A delegation of 20 officials from the ultra-secretive state enjoyed a fact-finding road trip earlier this month from the French border through Barcelona and Valencia to Alicante, seeking inspiration as North Korea plans its own large beach resort in Wonsan, a port city on the country’s eastern coast.

According to a spokesman for the North Korean embassy in Madrid, the delegation was "amazed by the dimensions" of Benidorm's towers and holiday parks, but added that the Marina d'Or enclosed tourism complex in Oropesa del Mar was the closest match to their plans in Wonsan, "aimed at the domestic and international markets".

The delegation breezed through Barcelona, showing no interest in the architectural wonders of Antoni Gaudí or the famous Rambla boulevard.