Po Pin Chau trial off to smooth start: govt

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) announced on the first weekend of its real-name reservation trial scheme at Po Pin Chau trail in Sai Kung East Country Park that the introduction was running smoothly. The AFCD stated that approximately 1,560 individuals visited the trail during the past weekend with registration. The department reported that most visitors entered the trail without any queues, and expressed satisfaction with the new arrangement.

According to the AFCD, several visitors reported a decrease in foot traffic on the trail compared to previous times. Notably, the lookout point, which had previously been overcrowded, was found to be less congested following the introduction of the reservation system. This improvement, the AFCD noted, significantly enhanced the overall visitor experience.

The department emphasized that it would continue to gather data on-site and collect visitors' feedback during the remaining trial period, which encompasses the weekends in September, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the National Day Golden Week holiday. The AFCD intends to conduct a comprehensive review of the trial's effectiveness after its conclusion to evaluate its impact and consider long-term arrangements.