'Cooler weather expected to boost Po Pin Chau visits'

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has revealed that reservation numbers for the Po Pin Chau trail, situated in Sai Kung East Country Park, have been disappointingly low. As of Monday evening, only 200 out of 2,000 daily slots had been booked for September 5 and 6, accounting for merely 10 percent of the available reservations.

Assistant Director Esther To explained on an RTHK radio show that the low turnout can be attributed to the persistent summer heat. To added that visitor numbers are expected to rise once temperatures decrease, likely around the Mid-Autumn Festival or the October Golden Week. The reservation system, which mandates the use of real names, aims to preserve the trail's natural environment, improve the visitor experience, and determine the site's carrying capacity.

The 2,000-slot daily limit is based on historical foot traffic during Golden Week holidays, the trail's length, and typical visitor behavior, all of which To believes justify the quota. She noted that the two-kilometer round-trip route at Po Pin Chau typically takes around two hours to complete, and during previous Golden Week holidays in May, the department implemented crowd control measures at popular photo spots.

If too many people gather to take photos, they are directed to continue along the trail, as the area is often exposed to hot, windy, or rainy conditions, discouraging lingering. To indicated that the department is taking a cautious approach with no penalties for no-shows or fees, as country parks have traditionally operated without such measures.

Visitors are encouraged to cancel reservations at least 48 hours in advance if their plans change, allowing the department to monitor no-show rates and decide on implementing penalties or fees in the future.