Some opt out but others press on after Japan tremor

Some Hong Kong holidaymakers changed their travel plans after Tuesday's deadly earthquake in Japan, while others decided to press ahead anyway.

At Chek Lap Kok airport, a traveller surnamed Leung, who had booked a package tour to Kyushu, cancelled at the last minute.

He said he would head to Singapore instead.

"It's too dangerous with the earthquakes and having the family with us. We don't want to take that risk. There was also an explosion at an Aeon shopping centre, so I'm worried about indoor dangers like fires. I hope people don't take unnecessary risks,” he said.

By contrast, a traveller surnamed Ling flew to Japan with her friend, saying they couldn't cancel their hotel bookings.

She said she would still visit the seaside as planned despite concerns about a tsunami.

"We're worried because the earthquake in Kumamoto had a magnitude of at least 7. I'm especially concerned about the bullet train stopping because we're still planning to visit places like Kagoshima," she said.

Steve Huen, executive director of EGL Tours, said the agency currently has seven package tours involving 140 travellers in Kyushu.

He added that two groups totalling more than 50 passengers left Hong Kong and Macao for Fukuoka as scheduled on Wednesday, but the itinerary was changed to skip Kumamoto.

“In principle, apart from Kumamoto, where transport is still quite disrupted due to the earthquake, all other prefectures are safe. So all our tour groups will continue their trips, and we are still sending groups out as planned," Huen said.

He advised travellers planning to visit Kumamoto on their own to change their plans and stay away for the next few days.

Edited by Edmond Fong ...