The government is considering offering shuttle service to tackle overcrowding while promoting ecotourism at the East Dam of High Island Reservoir, a popular geopark site, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui said.
The proposal comes after authorities increased transportation services to cater a large number of visitors at the scenic tourist hotspot in Sai Kung during the recent Labor Day golden week holiday through increased transportation services.
However, Law emphasized that unlimited expansion of transportation services in country parks is unsustainable in the long run.
"We must consider the carrying capacity of these rural areas," she told lawmakers on Wednesday, adding that officials will study appropriate methods including potential weekend and holiday transport controls.
Authorities also plan to redirect tourists to alternative hiking spots like Shing Mun Reservoir in Tsuen Wan and Tai Lam Chung Reservoir in Tuen Mun, commonly known as “Thousand Islands Lake”, to ease pressure on the East Dam.
Law said the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will enhance country park management while the city's mobile network coverage has reached 80 percent in parks and 95 percent along major government-managed trails through 33 new stations.
Responding to lawmaker Connie Lam So-wai's query about visitor caps at the geopark, Law said travelers are increasingly choosing off-peak visits for better experiences.
She also said the government will consider implementing a reservation system similar to other tourist sites.
Liberal Party's lawmaker Peter Shiu Ka-fai suggested using technology to provide real-time visitor data for crowd management, which Law endorsed as worth exploring.
The government will monitor social media trends to anticipate emerging tourist hotspots and prepare accordingly, Law added.
(Ayra Wang)
