Despite viral predictions of a catastrophic "Nankai Trough earthquake" striking Japan on July 5, Hong Kong travelers showed remarkable resilience as tour groups departed for Japanese destinations as scheduled on Saturday.
Several tour participants at Hong Kong International Airport appeared unfazed by the doomsday chatter that had circulated since early this year.
"Our group still has over a dozen people - nobody got cold feet," said one traveler bound for Kyushu, who identified himself as Leung.
Dismissing the prediction with characteristic Hong Kong pragmatism, he quipped: "I could say the world will end tomorrow too - would that make it true?"
The earthquake rumors had significantly impacted tourism numbers, with some agencies reporting sharp declines in bookings. However, savvy operators countered the trend with discounted packages - some up to 30 percent cheaper than usual - successfully attracting budget-conscious travelers.
Ho, another Kyushu-bound tourist, admitted the forecasts gave him pause but ultimately didn't alter his plans.
“Unless it's a massive quake, Japan's preparedness should handle it," he said, though he did pack extra clothes and snacks as a precaution.
His confidence echoed Japan's renowned disaster readiness, with the country operating one of the world's most sophisticated early warning systems.
For devout Christian traveler To, traveling with family to Fukuoka, the decision came down to faith rather than seismology.
"As a believer, I don't put stock in human predictions," she stated, having purchased standard travel insurance without earthquake supplements. Her group proceeded with their Kyushu itinerary undeterred.
Japanese meteorological authorities had repeatedly debunked the July 5 prediction as baseless throughout the year. The nation sits on the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, experiencing about 1,500 noticeable quakes annually, with strict building codes and regular drills mitigating potential damage.
(Marco Lam)
