[THE INVESTOR] A growing number of people are staying at home or close by to spend time on their own for summer vacation instead of driving or flying to faraway destinations. And the related industry is enjoying an upswing in sales.

Sales of toys for grown-ups, video games and PC games surged this month, increasing up to four times from the same period last year, according to major discount store Lotte Mart.

According to a survey of 1,000 people aged between 19 and 59, 50.6 percent did not find it necessary to travel. Bouts of “soft target” terrors in Europe and Southeast Asia, favorite destinations for long vacations, further dampened the mood, resulting in cancellation of overseas trips planned for summer. 

Hotels are beckoning with packages deals offering a downtime for those choosing to stay near home. Right in the heart of Seoul, JW Marriott is offering a “Journey to Provence” combining one-night stay in an executive deluxe room, free access to an indoor pool and a 60-minute spa treatment topped with a sample kit of French cosmetics L’Occitane.

Sheraton DCube City is offering a more affordable option named “Healing Spa Package” that lets visitors enjoy a one-hour spa treatment and free access to the gym and pool while staying one night at the hotel.

Others are adding a taste of culture to their packages: The Plaza presents tickets to Lee Jung-seob’s retrospective held at MMCA Deoksugung; Shilla Stay included tickets to an Anthony Brown exhibition at Seoul Arts Center; and Lotte Hotel in Jamsil added musical Sweeney Todd performed at Charlotte Theater next door to a stay at the hotel.

“Tired from work and scorching weather, people are opting to stay at a hotel in the city over going far to summer resorts,” and more than 90 percent of the package deals are reserved, according to the hotel industry.

By Hwang You-mee (glamazon@heraldcorp.com)