{
  "id": 11129470,
  "title": "'AFCD to be flexible in managing Po Pin Chau trail'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/afcd-to-be-flexible-in-managing-po-pin-chau-trail",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T06:55:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTHK News",
    "slug": "rthk-news",
    "url": "https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1872284-20261001.htm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) announced on Thursday that all reservations for visiting the Po Pin Chau trail in Sai Kung East Country Park until October 5 have been made. AFCD director Mickey Lai spoke after inspecting the area alongside lawmakers. Officers will take a flexible stance when visitors arrive without a reservation, while striving to guarantee their safety. Lai expressed his hope that tourists would not leave empty-handed. The department intends to permit visitors to access the trail whenever feasible. Lai also mentioned that officers would employ drones for surveillance at the viewing platform and conduct patrols along the trail. He advised hikers to assess their capabilities and act accordingly due to the high temperatures. The real-name reservation system will undergo evaluation post its termination on October 7, aiming to address no-shows, enhance visitor experiences, and improve management. A visitor from Fujian, Zhang, who reserved a spot in mid-September, commended the crowd-management approach, stating that it prevents overcrowding.",
  "summary": "The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said on Thursday that all quotas to visit the Po Pin Chau trail tourist hotspot in Sai Kung East Country Park until October 5 have been snapped up. Speaking after a visit to the area with lawmakers, AFCD director Mickey Lai said officers would adopt a flexible approach when people show up without a reservation while making all efforts…",
  "key_points": [
    "AFCD will manage Po Pin Chau trail reservations flexibly until October 5.",
    "Officers to use drones for surveillance and patrols along the trail.",
    "Real-name reservation system to be evaluated post-termination."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department's flexible approach to managing visitor arrivals without reservations at Po Pin Chau trail aims to balance visitor experience with safety considerations.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "RTHK English",
        "title": "'AFCD to be flexible in managing Po Pin Chau trail'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/afcd-to-be-flexible-in-managing-po-pin-chau-trail-11135821",
        "published": "2026-10-01T06:55:22.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}