Korean travelers buy more goods in duty-free shops in the country than in foreign destinations, a survey suggests.

The poll of 700 Koreans who went on overseas trips over the past year by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry shows they spent an average of W459,000 (US$1=W1,134) shopping in duty-free shops in the country during each trip, compared to W389,000 in foreign countries.

Respondents could give multiple answers.

By region, travelers to Southeast Asia and Japan spent more money shopping in domestic duty-free shops, but travelers to Europe and the Americas spent more overseas.

Some 63.8 percent of the respondents explained that they spent more in domestic duty-free shops because they can buy goods at low prices using discount coupons. Next came the range of goods available (33.6 percent) and easier communications with sales staff (32.8 percent).

As for the goods they bought, the majority, or 81.1 percent, of respondents said cosmetics, followed by bags and purses (48.3 percent), fashion accessories like watches and sunglasses (47 percent), and liquor (45.9 percent).