Economic recovery, eased flu woes boost demand for overseas travel: survey

SEOUL, Dec. 21 (Yonhap) -- A growing number of South Koreans plan to go abroad
next year as the economy shows signs of a recovery and concerns over the spread
of Influenza A subside, a survey released Monday by the Korea Tourism
Organization showed.

More than half of those polled, or 53.7 percent, said they are considering
traveling abroad next year, while 52.9 percent said they are planning to travel
within the country. Respondents considering both options accounted for 6.6
percent.
"We're expecting to see high demand for overseas travel as the effects of the new
flu and other negative factors are diminishing," a local travel agency official
said.
The survey, conducted on 500 adults living in seven of the country's largest
cities, also revealed China, Japan and the United States to be the most popular
overseas destinations.
ecuedy@yna.co.kr