Booking system considered to protect popular Hong Kong hiking trail from crowds

Booking system considered to protect popular Hong Kong hiking trail from crowds More people than expected visited scenic Po Pin Chau during recent holiday peaks Authorities are considering a pilot booking system for one of Hong Kong’s most popular hiking routes and creating a new marine park at Sharp Island in Sai Kung, following bigger-than-expected crowds during mainland Chinese holidays. “Therefore, to more effectively control visitor numbers and flows, the government is studying and considering the introduction of a reservation system,” the paper said. “The aim would be to protect the trail from excessive wear and tear and to improve the visitor experience by dispersing visitors across different times of the day.” The department said Po Pin Chau – a scenic headland featuring massive hexagonal volcanic columns east of High Island Reservoir – would serve as a pilot site for a reservation system in ecological locations, with data collected to assess its effectiveness.