'Booking system key to high-quality ecotourism'

Hong Kong's government has been urged to establish a reservation system for all popular ecotourism locations in order to provide high-quality ecotourism experiences. This recommendation was made by lawmaker Perry Yiu following a survey conducted by his office and the New Youth Forum. The survey found that the majority of approximately 650 residents polled believed the city's countryside resources are worth developing into high-quality ecotourism sites.

Notably, 76 percent of respondents thought a booking system was necessary. Yiu suggested that the government could learn from the recent real-name reservation trial scheme for the Po Pin Chau trail in Sai Kung East Country Park and apply similar crowd management techniques to ecotourism development. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of the pilot scheme once it concludes.

Yiu also recommended the formation of an interdepartmental ecotourism coordination team to streamline the permit application process and the establishment of a certification scheme for travel agencies and tour guides with specialized ecological knowledge. Tommy Tam, chairman of the Travel Industry Council, supported the idea, stating that only accredited tour guides should be allowed to lead tours at certain ecological attractions.

Tam also proposed that the Travel Industry Authority should monitor social media platforms to curb unlicensed tour groups, ensuring better protection for tourists.