More than 400 hikers visit Hong Kong attraction under new booking system
About 440 people entered Hong Kong’s Po Pin Chau section of the High Island Geo Trail during the first two hours of the National Day holiday, officials said. The real-name reservation system limits daily access to 2,000 visitors, as authorities seek to balance tourism with conservation and manage a surge in mainland visitors.
More than 400 hikers visited Hong Kong’s Po Pin Chau geological attraction on Thursday morning as the city began the National Day holiday period under a new visitor-reservation system. Mickey Lai Kin-ming, director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, said about 440 people entered the Po Pin Chau section of the High Island Geo Trail in Sai Kung between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
The site introduced a real-name booking system in late August to manage visitor numbers. Lawmakers observing the arrangements described the situation as generally smooth. Perry Yiu Pak-leung said a Legislative Council subcommittee would review the system’s data with government departments after the holiday and consider possible improvements.
Officials said the system was intended to balance conservation, education and tourism. Lawmaker Christine Fong Kwok-shan said transport operators had adjusted capacity using booking information, but suggested that authorities examine measures for visitors who reserve places and fail to attend. Fong said 94 per cent of reservations had been made by visitors from mainland China.
Hong Kong expects 1.29 million mainland visitors during the National Day “golden week”, which runs from October 1 to 7. The Po Pin Chau arrangement permits a maximum of 2,000 people a day, divided into four two-hour periods with 500 places in each slot. Reservations are free and are made through Klook using visitors’ real names and identity-document details.
Some visitors arrived before their booked times. A tourist from Shenzhen who had reserved a 3 p.m. slot was eventually allowed into the site at about 10 a.m.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said drones with broadcasting equipment would monitor the viewing platform and remind visitors not to cross safety railings. Officials also raised concerns about facilities at Pak Tam Chung, a transport and tourism hub. Lawmakers said the site’s ageing facilities needed a longer-term improvement plan.
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