A massive earthquake in China's south-western Sichuan province has resulted in the disruption and cancellation of tours run by local travel agencies.

ASA Holidays, SA Tours and Chan Brothers currently have two groups each on the popular Jiuzhaigou tour in Sichuan, reported The Straits Times today.

In an interview with local newspaper, ASA's marketing communications manager Eileen Oh said that one of the groups due to return yesterday was stuck at the airport because terminal operations were shut down temporarily.

Chan Brothers had to cancel a tour departing today - involving 30 travellers - as they could not assess the magnitude of damage caused by the quake.

Ivy Tan, marketing and communications manager of Chan Brothers told The Straits Times that their customers' safety was of top priority.

As for SA Tours, it said that 65 of their customers were "fine" and the respective families have been informed.