Macau tourists safe, request for quicker flight arrangements

Two Macau tour groups in Japan have been reported safe after the country was again struck by a 7.3-magnitude earthquake on Saturday. The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) received requests for information regarding flight arrangements to expedite their return to Macau.
The Office also received a request for assistance from two female Macau residents who were staying in the remote area of Aso Kyushu city, who departed yesterday to Osaka.
Meanwhile, the president of Macau’s Travel Industry Council, Andy Wu, testified that the two tour groups involving a total of 45 people, are safe in Fukuoka.
“They were originally planning to head to Kumamoto prefecture, but they changed to Beppu city due to the earthquake. Both groups are now safe in Japan, although the airport in Kumamoto is now closed. Air Macau has flights arriving in Fukuoka, but not Kumamoto, so it’s not a big problem at all,” said Wu speaking to TDM.
The GGCT stated that the flight, upon which another 25 Macau tourists were to head to Fukuoka today, has been cancelled.
Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau technician Chou Chi Kuan claimed that the recent earthquake was rare, saying “The earthquake in Kumamoto prefecture was very uncommon because the magnitude of the foreshock and the main shock were very similar.”
Moreover, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and the Consulate General of China in Fukuoka has advised Chinese citizens to reconsider their travel plans to Kyushu area in addition to advising travelers to not travel to Kumamoto Prefecture. The two departments in conjunction with the SAR’s Government Tourist Office Representation Office in Japan have been maintaining contact with local government offices and police in order to arrange appropriate assistance.
A statement also reported that the GGCT is assisting in the provision of transportation arrangements from the domestic airport to the international airport, as well as hotel accommodation.        Staff reporter