East Dam Reservation System Shows Results, Lawmaker Proposes Scenic Area Management Model
HK01 · 5 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The trial reservation system at the Po Pin Chau section of the High Island Geological Trail at East Dam in Sai Kung has demonstrated significant effectiveness in managing visitor flows, according to government data presented to the Legislative Council on November 4. Environment and Ecology Bureau Secretary Tse Chin-wan reported that during the National Day Golden Week when the reservation system was in operation, average daily visitor numbers were successfully controlled to approximately 950, compared to around 2,000 visitors per day during the Spring Festival and Labor Day Golden Weeks before the trial began . The peak viewing platform footfall was reduced by more than 30 percent, substantially alleviating congestion .
Key Points
- The reservation system operated with a daily quota of 2,000 visitors for Po Pin Chau, with actual daily reservations averaging around 960
- Daily average of 1,760 visitors entered East Dam during the trial period, with 129 minibus trips and 396 taxi trips recorded daily
- Election Committee constituency lawmaker Yiu Pak-liang proposed introducing tourism scenic area management concepts to enhance visitor experience beyond just reducing visitor numbers
- Tourism sector lawmaker Kong Man-wai suggested listing "specialized tour guide" arrangements as a legitimate entry mode under the reservation mechanism
- Secretary Tse emphasized that Hong Kong's compact countryside areas cannot be compared to large tourism destinations in Qinghai or Tibet, necessitating visitor management
Why It Matters
The success of this trial has broader implications for how Hong Kong balances conservation with tourism development in its sensitive ecological areas. The government's willingness to cooperate with the tourism industry, including allocating reservation slots for organized tour groups and supporting thematic eco-tour packages linking Po Pin Chau with outlying islands and Sai Kung seafood destinations , suggests a potential shift toward more structured management of popular outdoor sites. This approach could serve as a template for other crowded recreational areas across Hong Kong's country parks system.
The success of this trial has broader implications for how Hong Kong balances conservation with tourism development in its sensitive ecological areas. The government's willingness to cooperate with the tourism industry, including allocating reservation slots for organized tour groups and supporting thematic eco-tour packages linking Po Pin Chau with outlying islands and Sai Kung seafood destinations , suggests a potential shift toward more structured management of popular outdoor sites. This approach could serve as a template for other crowded recreational areas across Hong Kong's country parks system.