Hong Kong authorities are exploring a real-name reservation system for the Po Pin Chau trail in Sai Kung East Country Park, after visitor numbers hit carrying capacity during peak holiday periods.
Undersecretary for Environment and Ecology Diane Wong Shuk-han told the Legislative Council subcommittee on ecology and tourism on June 8 that authorities would not use a first-come-first-served model and were studying a ballot mechanism to prevent scalping. South China Morning Post
“We will consider real-name registration,” Wong said. “If someone makes a reservation but does not show up, when they make a reservation again in the future, we will know through real-name registration who has previously failed to turn up, and we will handle it appropriately.” — South China Morning Post, June 8.
The proposals were drawn up after visitor numbers at the Po Pin Chau section of Sai Kung East Country Park hit carrying capacity at peak periods during mainland China’s Labour Day “golden week” holiday, with some trail sections showing wear and tear since the viewpoint opened in 2024.
On New Year’s Eve, a 21-year-old tourist from Guangzhou fell to his death after falling from a 70-metre cliff into the sea at Po Pin Chau.
“We hope the change will not be too abrupt,” said Deputy Secretary for Environment and Ecology Fabia Tam Cheuk-chi. “We first want everyone to get used to the idea that visiting certain spots requires some advance arrangement.” — South China Morning Post, June 8.
Fees would be considered only after authorities review the effectiveness of the pilot, Tam said, adding that the reservation system would launch as early as possible.
Until then, authorities will continue relying on temporary crowd-control queues at the East Dam viewing platform during peak periods, real-time visitor updates on the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department website, and stepped-up patrols to manage the tourist influx.
In the 2025 Policy Address, Chief Executive John Lee vowed to develop ecotourism by improving green tourism itineraries and facilities across four key sites, with the initiative due for completion by end of 2026. Greenpeace has warned that without a broader ecotourism policy, targeted enforcement at individual hotspots remains a piecemeal response. Hong Kong Free Press