By Park Ji-won
Overseas travel spending by Koreans hit a record high of $4.51 billion in the first quarter despite the prolonged economic slump, according to the latest data from the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute.
The amount was up 7.5 percent from a year earlier, and 7.3 percent higher than the previous high of $4.2 billion recorded in the first quarter of 2008.
The per-capita amount came to $1,148 on average, edging up from the $1,130 posted a year earlier.
The rising overseas spending is largely due to a rise in overseas family travel during the Lunar New Year and spring holidays.
A growing number of middle aged people also embarked on overseas trips due to the rising popularity of travel shows on television, according to the data.
The number of overseas travelers increased 5.6 percent to 3.93 million in the first quarter.
Children under age 10 posted the highest growth rate of 9 percent. Those in their 50s increased 7.4 percent, while those in their 40s, 30s and 20s grew 6.3 percent, 5.5 percent and 5.8 percent, respectively.
Meanwhile, the tourism deficit stood at $720.1 million in the first quarter, the 22nd consecutive month since June 2012.