Hong Kong travel agencies cancel 600 tours to South Korea in light of Mers outbreak
Travel agencies say trips for up to 12,000 Hongkongers will not go ahead
All 600 tours to South Korea organised for this month by local travel agencies will be cancelled following the issue of a red alert against travel to the Mers-hit country, industry representatives agreed yesterday.
Up to 12,000 Hongkongers who booked the trips through agencies would have their tour fees and airport departure tax refunded, subject to a handling fee of between HK$150 and HK$300.
Those not opting for a refund would be offered tours to other destinations within six months.
The announcements came after representatives of 15 travel firms met yesterday to discuss contingency plans in light of the outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome.
The executive director of the Hong Kong Travel Industry Council, Joseph Tung Yao-chung, said initial health advice issued by the government on Monday had confused travellers and agencies about whether to cancel tours.
He said agencies had received a large number of inquiries from customers unsure whether the health advice meant they should or could apply for refunds.