Hong Kong travel agencies have launched cheaper outbound group tours this summer, driven by increased flight capacity amid a shift in tourists’ preference away from Japan due to increased earthquake concerns.

Several tour operators have reported that prices for their summer group tours are either lower or have remained stable, adding that popular destinations include South Korea, Vietnam and cities in western mainland China.

“Compared to last year, we see more than a 10 per cent drop in prices of group tours this summer holiday,” Steve Huen Kwok-chuen, executive director of EGL Tours, said. “It is due to the increased flight availability and transport capacity.”

He added that the popularity of tours to Vietnam had increased by 30 to 40 per cent compared with previous years, while tours to Xinjiang and the Silk Road on the mainland had maintained strong popularity over the past six months.

On the EGL Tours website, a five-day group trip to Nha Trang, Vietnam, including five-star hotel stays, was priced at about HK$2,900 (US$369) in June. The price for a similar itinerary in July and August increased by HK$200 to HK$800, ranging from HK$3,100 to HK$3,700.

However, Huen noted that this year’s price for the Vietnam trip was about 10 per cent less than last summer, when it ranged from HK$3,500 to HK$4,100.