While on-site rescue efforts are underway, many tourists are bottled up in the region, with delays in flight arrangements as local airports have also been hit by the colossal tidal waves accompanied by the earthquake.

Runways are inundated with water and air traffic control systems at key airports have been rendered out of service.

Korean travel agencies have been flooded with last-minute cancellations to popular destinations in Southeast Asia, including the Maldives and Thailand.

At Seoul's Incheon international airport, travel agents are also recommending customers to postpone their trips and return home while arranging alternative trips to unaffected areas for those insisting on traveling, such as honeymooners.

Travel agencies said they would refund the money or rearrange travel dates or destinations for individuals who could not depart on scheduled trips due to the catastrophe.

There are about 700 Korean tourists in Phucket, Thailand awaiting flights to return home and travel agencies plan to dispatch their staff to take care of their tourists' needs on-site.

Although the scope of damage has yet to be released, observers say the US$8 billion travel industry faces major losses with mass cancellations of booked trips and refunds for customers.

Hyundai Motor, Korea's largest automaker, lost around 1,000 compact automobiles to the tidal wave as they were parked at a port in India, awaiting export. Other Korean companies based in Southeast Asia, in the meantime, are reportedly relatively free from major damage.

Arirang TV