The Hong Kong government is evaluating the potential introduction of a booking and fee-based system for selected countryside campsites and scenic locations following increased visitor pressure during the Lunar New Year holiday period.
The proposal was discussed on March 18 during a Legislative Council session, where Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan responded to a question from legislator Chris Ip regarding crowd management and environmental protection at popular outdoor sites.
Authorities reported a surge in visitor numbers during the Lunar New Year Golden Week, particularly in Sai Kung East Country Park, where locations such as Ham Tin Wan, Sai Wan, and Long Ke Wan experienced a significant rise in camping activity.
Despite the increase in usage, Tse stated that overall site conditions, hygiene, and order remained largely in line with government expectations, and no major ecological damage was identified. However, the scale of visitation has prompted a broader review of how high-traffic countryside areas are managed.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) implemented additional measures between mid-February and the end of the holiday period. These included increased patrols, on-site staff presence to remind visitors of camping regulations, enhanced cleaning services, and the deployment of toilet attendants at key sites such as Ham Tin Wan.
Traffic and transport arrangements were also strengthened near the East Dam, while infrastructure such as fencing and warning signage was installed at Po Pin Chau viewing areas. Authorities also published real-time visitor flow updates online to help manage congestion.
Hong Kong currently operates 41 designated campsites within its country parks, nine of which are located in Sai Kung, according to a news release. Most campsites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with the exception of Twisk Campsite, which requires advance booking.
The absence of a formal registration system means authorities do not maintain precise data on visitor numbers, although estimates suggest that Ham Tin Wan Campsite alone hosted approximately 300 tents at peak occupancy during the holiday.
Enforcement activity during the period highlights ongoing management challenges. Between February 14 and 23, officers took action against 32 individuals for various offenses, including littering, spitting, unauthorized fire lighting, and illegal cycling.
The majority of incidents occurred along Sections 1 and 2 of the MacLehose Trail and in the East Dam area. Under current regulations, camping and fire lighting are restricted to designated areas, and littering offenses carry a fixed penalty of HK$3,000.
Tse confirmed that the Environment and Ecology Bureau and AFCD are now assessing the feasibility of introducing reservation systems and fees at selected high-demand locations.
The review will examine factors such as ecological conservation, visitor safety, and access control, alongside operational considerations including booking systems, fee collection, real-name registration, and enforcement frameworks.
Authorities indicated that pilot programs will likely be introduced before any full-scale rollout, allowing different management approaches to be tested and evaluated. This phased approach is intended to balance public access with environmental protection while gathering data to inform long-term policy decisions.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality and camping sectors, the developments in Hong Kong reflect a broader global trend toward managed access to high-demand natural destinations. Reservation systems and user fees are increasingly being considered as tools to regulate visitor flows, protect natural assets, and fund infrastructure improvements.
Operators may view such models as both a regulatory signal and a potential opportunity to align private offerings with structured, higher-value outdoor experiences that emphasize sustainability and controlled capacity.
In the interim, Hong Kong authorities plan to continue enhancing patrols, cleaning operations, and public education efforts during peak periods, while promoting alternative countryside destinations to distribute visitor demand more evenly.