Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan on Wednesday said the government was reviewing the trial results of the real-name reservation system for the Po Pin Chau trail in Sai Kung East Country Park.

Speaking to lawmakers at the Legislative Council, Tse said authorities were looking at areas for further improvement and whether a fee could be imposed.

Tse noted that the reservation system had effectively controlled visitor numbers on peak days compared to the past.

He said the Po Pin Chau section received an average of 2,000 visitors per day during the Chinese New Year and Labour Day Golden Week holidays – before the reservation system was introduced, while the number was kept to around 950 during the National Day Golden Week with the reservation requirement.

The highest visitor flow recorded at the Po Pin Chau viewing platform was also cut by more than 30 percent compared to the past, he added.

“Visitors mainly arrived in the morning. As the reservation system effectively kept the number of visitors within 500 per time slot, visitor flow on the trail was dispersed in an orderly manner, and visitors were able to tour in a more comfortable and safe environment without overcrowding,” he said.

“Implementation experience shows that by effectively controlling the visitor numbers and diverting visitor flow, the reservation system not only reduced the wear and tear caused by visitors to the natural environment but also significantly improved the overall visitor experience.”

He added that the reservation system operated well, with most visitors satisfied with the arrangement.

The minister also said the government could collaborate with the tourism sector to launch eco-tours to further develop ecotourism products.

He said part of the 2,000 daily quota of Po Pin Chau trail could be reserved for tour groups.



Edited by Tony Sabine