Lawmakers and tourism experts of Hong Kong on Monday welcomed a policy proposal to introduce a reservation system for Po Pin Chau – a Sai Kung attraction renowned for hexagonal volcanic columns but a spot that frequently faces holiday overcrowding.
The proposal, part of a policy package to tackle overtourism, was submitted to the Legislative Council Subcommittee to Study Matters Relating to “Ecology + Tourism” for discussion on Monday.
At the meeting, Diane Wong Shuk-han, undersecretary for environment and ecology, said the tourism capacity for Po Pin Chau reached its limit over the past Labor Day break, and some parts of roads and trails in the area were found damaged.
Wong said authorities are discussing the details of the tourist reservation system and hoping to launch it as soon as possible. The government also said Po Pin Chau’s reservation system will provide data and feedback for potential systems in other countryside spots.
Lawmaker Kitson Yang Wing-kit expressed his support for the proposed reservation system, but added that the government should pay close attention to ticket scalping of reservation spots. Yang suggested a balloting system instead of a first-come, first-served model.
Wong said that the government will consider implementing a real-name registration and balloting system, drawing on past experiences from other departments to avoid these risks. She added the government will also step up education on hiking etiquette.
Fanny Yeung Shuk-fan, executive director of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, supported the implementation of reservations system at popular tourist attractions as Hong Kong has seen more visitors in recent years.
The city logged 49.9 millions of inbound visitor trips in 2025, a 12 percent year-on-year increase.
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Yeung said that implementation of such systems should be prioritized in busy sites and limited-capacity campsites, particularly during weekends and public holidays, to enhance the management of visitor flows.
Yeung said that reservations alone are insufficient. As social media–driven “check-in” trends grow, safety issues are important as some tourists have low awareness of outdoor risks, she said.
She said that numerous platforms encourage individuals to visit popular locations while overlooking potential hazards, thereby increasing the likelihood of unforeseen accidents.
Authorities should also enhance safety education and promote environmental conservation efforts among visitors, she said.
Luo Tengyi, a 20-year-old outdoor enthusiast living in Shanghai, also touched on the necessity of clearer guidelines for trend-chasing visitors and tour groups.
Luo told China Daily that visitors who lack outdoor experience are unaware of the environmental impact of their actions. Driven by online trends, they often arrive in large tour groups and leave waste behind at scenic spots, Luo said.
Planning to visit Hong Kong recently to conquer the MacLehose Trail — parts of the trail are in Po Pin Chau. Luo said such measures, once implemented, would inevitably make his travel planning harder.
“Implementing such a reservation system will undoubtedly erect an invisible barrier between nature and we hikers,” Luo said.
While he understands the government’s intent, Luo suggest the reservation system should focus more on commercial tour groups, rather than independent hikers.
Roys Zhang and Zeng Ziwen also contributed to the story.
