Hong Kong to review bookings for famous Sai Kung trail after high no-show rate

Hong Kong's authorities will evaluate a new reservation system for the Sai Kung trail, known for its striking volcanic rock formations, following a high no-show rate during the initial trial runs. Only 1,560 registered visitors and walk-ins showed up at Po Pin Chau on Saturday and Sunday, despite 3,230 people making reservations using their real names.

Lawmakers and a district councillor have proposed solutions such as increasing on-site quotas, improving booking information for walk-ins, and implementing a penalty point system to discourage no-shows.

The Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department (AFCD) responded by outlining plans to enhance visitor management, patrols, and enforcement in the area surrounding the East Dam and Po Pin Chau. The department will also continue public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives, emphasizing the importance of advance bookings.

According to the AFCD, visitor numbers for Po Pin Chau dropped to 660 registered and walk-in visitors out of 1,430 reservations on Sunday, mirroring the previous Saturday's no-show rates. About 1,800 bookings were made for the day, but only around 900 visitors arrived via prior bookings or on-site registration.

Lawmaker Chris Ip Ngo-tung, representing the southeast New Territories, called for more data to be collected during the trial, particularly during the upcoming National Day "golden week" when Hong Kong expects a surge in visitors. He proposed providing the public with daily booking status updates, using a color-coded system to indicate the level of occupancy.

Steven Ho Chun-yin, another lawmaker, urged the government to analyze the reasons behind the high no-show rates for each time slot and take appropriate measures to address the issue. He suggested implementing a penalty points system, similar to the one used for booking government venues, as a deterrent against repeated no-shows.

District councillor Chris Cheung Mei-hung recommended a penalty point system to discourage abuse of the reservation mechanism, noting that current no-shows incur no penalties. The AFCD previously stated that the reservation system aimed to protect the trail from excessive wear and tear, prevent overcrowding, and improve the overall visitor experience. The 1km-long trail within the Unesco Global Geopark at Sai Kung East Country Park features towering hexagonal volcanic rock columns that offer breathtaking sea views.