Over 90 percent of Koreans plan to travel within the country this summer, a straw poll suggests. The Korea Tourism Organization conducted a telephone survey of 500 people from June 15 to 16 and heard that only around 30 percent have plans to travel this summer, and nine out of 10 of those said that they will travel domestically. When asked about their reasons, over 40 percent blamed the recession.

But being financially strapped is not the only factor. The spread of the H1N1 flu virus is also putting a dent in the number of overseas travelers. Aside from public fears, around 20 percent of those surveyed said they will choose to travel in Korea to visit places they have always wanted to see.

Popular destinations are the beaches along the East Sea in Gangwon Province, Busan's Haeundae Beach and Jeju Island. And for those who think these places are too far, there are plenty of options for travel within the capital as well. Hotels in the city are gearing up with low-price high-value packages to draw summer vacationers while the open-door swimming pools at Gwangnaru, Jamsil, Jamwon and Mangwon along the Han River opened just last Friday.

The Korea Tourism Organization says domestic travel will not only help vacationers save money but will also increase regional income and revitalize the Korean economy overall.