Hong Kong Launches Booking System for Sai Kung Trail to Combat Overtourism
HKFP · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago3 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong authorities have launched a trial booking system for visitors to a popular coastal trail in Sai Kung as part of efforts to manage overtourism and protect natural environments. Registration began on Monday for sightseers planning to visit the Po Pin Chau section of the High Island Geo Trail, with the new system set to take effect next weekend. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), which oversees the territory's country parks, is administering the booking system through Klook, a local online travel platform. The move comes amid growing concerns about overcrowding at Hong Kong's nature spots, particularly during peak travel seasons when mainland Chinese visitors flock to scenic coastal areas.
Key Points
- The Po Pin Chau section is located in the southeastern sector of the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, near the High Island Reservoir East Dam
- A quota of 500 visitors will be permitted per two-hour time slot, with bookings required for all weekends from next month through October 7, the final day of National Day Golden Week
- Visitors must register using their real names on Klook to obtain an e-voucher with a QR code, which must be presented to AFCD officers at the trail entrance
- Bookings are not required for visits outside designated weekend dates, nor for entries before 9am or after 5pm
- The booking area does not include the East Dam and Biu Tsim Kok sections, which will remain open without restrictions
- Some trails and beaches in Sai Kung have experienced major bottlenecks as public transport has struggled to accommodate surging visitor numbers
- Environmental groups have warned of damage to ecological systems caused by overcrowding at popular natural sites
- Authorities first announced in June that they were exploring the introduction of a real-name reservation system
Why It Matters
The booking system represents Hong Kong's first systematic attempt to address overtourism at a major country park site, setting a precedent for managing visitor numbers at other natural attractions. For Sai Kung residents and regular visitors, the quota system could alleviate chronic congestion on transport routes and restore the area's character as a tranquil natural destination. The initiative also signals growing official recognition that environmental protection must be balanced with public access, particularly as Hong Kong's nature parks face increasing pressure from record numbers of mainland tourists during holiday periods .
The booking system represents Hong Kong's first systematic attempt to address overtourism at a major country park site, setting a precedent for managing visitor numbers at other natural attractions. For Sai Kung residents and regular visitors, the quota system could alleviate chronic congestion on transport routes and restore the area's character as a tranquil natural destination. The initiative also signals growing official recognition that environmental protection must be balanced with public access, particularly as Hong Kong's nature parks face increasing pressure from record numbers of mainland tourists during holiday periods .