Trial booking system for Sai Kung geopark trail launches in bid to curb overtourism

The Hong Kong government has introduced a new booking system for visitors to a popular coastal trail in Sai Kung, aimed at managing crowds and safeguarding the natural environment. The Po Pin Chau section of the High Island Geo Trail, part of the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, will require advance reservations for all weekends starting next month until October 7, coinciding with the National Day Golden Week and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays.

Each two-hour time slot will have a quota of 500 visitors. Registration, mandatory for these dates, can only be completed through the Klook online travel platform using real names. This move is intended to curb overtourism and prevent scalping or no-shows. After these dates, bookings are not required, nor are they needed for visits before 9am or after 5pm.

The system, operated by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, involves presenting an e-voucher with a QR code to AFCD officers at the trail's entrance. Overcrowding at Hong Kong's popular nature spots, particularly during peak travel seasons, has been a concern, with some trails and beaches experiencing significant bottlenecks.

Environmental groups have expressed worries about the ecological damage caused by overcrowding. In June, authorities announced plans to implement a real-name reservation system to better manage visitor flow at Po Pin Chau. However, initial efforts by AFCD officers to control crowds by halting entry once capacity was reached proved ineffective for promoting eco-tourism.