2 leading Hong Kong travel agents cancel or divert planned trips to Japans earthquake-hit Ishikaw

At least two of Hong Kong’s largest travel agencies have cancelled or diverted planned tours to the Japanese prefecture of Ishikawa in the wake of a powerful earthquake, while city authorities have said they received more than a dozen requests for help from Hongkongers in quake-hit areas.

The Immigration Department said 14 Hongkongers had contacted it for travel information as of 5pm on Tuesday, though they subsequently left the affected areas for safer places.

Travel agency WWPKG on Tuesday wrote on its Facebook page that all of this month’s trips to the hard-hit city of Wajima in Ishikawa would be cancelled over safety concerns.

Customers can change tour plans, keep fees for future services or ask for full refunds, according to the agency.

WWPKG chief executive officer Yuen Chun-ning said 10 tours, involving 150 people, were affected by the latest change.

But tours to other parts of Ishikawa, such as the city of Kanazawa or hot spring resort Wakura Onsen, would continue, Yuen said.

According to the company’s website, five tours heading to Ishikawa this month were still available.

30 Hong Kong tourists feel minor tremors as 7.6-scale quake hits central Japan

At least 48 people died in the 7.6 magnitude quake that rocked Japan’s central regions on New Year’s Day, with the numbers expected to rise.

The Japan Meteorological Agency had also issued a tsunami warning for Niigata, Toyama and Ishikawa prefectures, located along the Japanese coast. The warning was lowered on Tuesday morning.

The earthquake that triggered tsunami waves of about one metre (3.3 feet) high also levelled buildings, caused a major fire and tore roads apart.

A 5.6-magnitude aftershock struck the area on Tuesday following the massive quake.

Steve Huen Kwok-chuen, executive director of travel agency EGL Tours, on Tuesday said that 16 tours, involving about 350 customers and with an original itinerary covering Ishikawa, were set to depart this month.

“Adjustment will be needed for these tours,” Huen told a radio programme. “They will not visit Ishikawa.”

He said his company would tell those customers about the updated itinerary as soon as possible on Tuesday.

Huen said customers who had already booked tours to Ishikawa could choose to go to other parts of Japan but were not allowed to cancel bookings or seek refunds.

Wing On Travel said its tours to Ishikawa would continue, as the area the groups were visiting was around a two-hour drive from the quake epicentre.

‘Battle against time’ to save survivors after huge Japan quake kills at least 20

So far, the agency planned for five tours for Ishikawa this month.

At Hong Kong International Airport, some travellers proceeded with their journeys despite the earthquake.

University students Jeff Chan and Jerry Chan, both 20, said they would continue their week-long trip in Osaka despite concerns from their family members.

“Japan has a very high awareness of earthquake preparations,” Jerry Chan said. “[We] will take heed of shelters nearby and pack all our necessities.”

Valerie Dance, 31, a social marketing specialist from Tokyo, said she was not worried about the earthquake as it was far from where she lived.

Dance said she had a disaster prevention kit at home, which included food, water and a portable toilet for emergencies.

Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways said it was waiving all charges for rebooking, re-routing and refund for flight tickets going to or from Japan between December 31 and January 7. The new travel dates must be on or before March 31.

The Immigration Department said any Hongkongers in need could seek help by ringing the hotline (852) 1868 or sending messages to 1868 WhatsApp.

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