Credit-crunched vacationers embrace camping

A family sits around a bonfire at a campsite in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province. The ongoing camping boom has provided a much-needed boost to retailers struggling to cope with the sluggish domestic consumption. / Korea Times file

Lee Kyung-soo, a 41-year-old salaried worker at one of the country’s largest steelmakers, took his family to one of the country’s state-managed camping sites in Gangwon Province last week for their summer vacation.

They stayed there for two nights and three days, engaging in a wide range of outdoor activities such as hiking and swimming.

“We went to Thailand and stayed at a beachside resort for our summer holidays last year, which cost quite a lot of money because we went there during the peak season. But this time, I decided to go camping for less,’’ Lee said. In 2010, his family stayed at a condominium near Mt. Seorak in Gangwon Province.

Lee said he was able to save quite a large amount of money on this year’s vacation, compared to the two previous years. “Even though we spent less, we had much more fun while camping. My wife and kids loved all the outdoor leisure activities.’’

Instead of purchasing a tent and other camping gear, which can cost several million won, Lee borrowed all the items from friends and relatives.

“Beside gas and groceries, we did not really spend money on anything else. If my wife and kids want to go camping next summer, I will be happy to take them,’’ he said.

Like the Lees, a growing number of Korean families have begun camping in the mountains, by the river or on the beach, while shying away from staying at hotels, condominiums and other pricey lodging facilities, which tend to charge vacationers much more during the peak summer season.

In line with the popularity of camping, retailers have seen the sales of camping and other outdoors-related items soar this summer.

According to E-mart, the country’s largest discount store chain, the sale of tents jumped 147.8 percent in July from a year earlier. The sale of portable pots, pans, gas stoves and other camping goods also surged an average of 177 percent.

“These days, a growing number of Koreans go camping to spend summer holidays outdoors with family members or friends. That way, they spend less if they are thoroughly prepared,’’ E-mart spokesman Kong Jae-hoon said. “This camping boom has provided a much-needed boost to us and other retailers struggling with the ongoing consumption slump.’’

He said on top of camping goods, the discount store has seen the sale of instant and processed food products jump sharply, with more vacationers cooking rather than dinning out. “Many holidaymakers went to restaurants near holiday sites for meals, spending quite a lot. But due to the current economic slump, vacationers have become more frugal, buying canned goods and other ready-to-cook items from stores.’’

According to E-mart, the sale of processed food items between July 21 and 31 rose 30 percent, compared to during July 10 to 20.

The discount store sold 41.4 percent more instant curry, with sales of processed vegetables and “hetban,’’ or ready-to-eat rice, up 25 percent and 20.2 percent respectively. <The Korea Times/Lee Hyo-sik>

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