Hong Kong launches real-name booking system for popular Sai Kung coastal trail

Registration has begun for Hong Kong's inaugural countryside real-name reservation system to regulate daily visitors to the well-liked Po Pin Chau coastal trail in Sai Kung. The system, which caps visitor numbers at 2,000 per day, launched on Monday at 11am, offering early access to slots for September 5 and 6 via Klook's website, app and WeChat mini-programme.

The reservation requires users to provide the names, phone numbers and identity documents of all participants, including passports and Hong Kong resident identity cards. The contact information is also needed, and an e-voucher will be sent via email or viewable within Klook's app or mini-programme after registration.

The trial reservation system for Po Pin Chau aims to gather data to inform future formal regulations. It is set to cover weekends between September 5 and 20, the Mid-Autumn Festival weekend starting September 25, and the National Day "golden week" from October 1 to 7. Lawmaker Chris Ip Ngo-tung, representing the southeast New Territories, welcomed the move, emphasizing the need to prevent overcrowding, which can lead to safety risks and inconvenience for visitors.

Ip expressed hope that the government would utilize the trial period to collect data and devise a permanent solution, taking into account the trail's ecological capacity.

District councillor Chris Cheung Mei-hung from Sai Kung echoed Ip's sentiments, stating that the 2,000-person daily cap was a good starting point. He noted that the majority of Po Pin Chau visitors were mainland tourists and called for authorities to fine-tune the system after the trial period by reserving some quotas for local residents and providing walk-in options for those unfamiliar with online registration.

Cheung also stressed the importance of increasing public awareness of the new regulation through social media platforms popular with tourists in mainland China. Public sentiment on social media has been largely positive, with many visitors appreciating the reduced crowd levels and improved experience.