As an increasing number of tourists look for natural adventures in Hong Kong, what measures do officials take to preserve the environments they are encouraging people to visit?
Over 500 tents spread across the pristine sand of secluded Ham Tin Wan in Sai Kung during a recent break, transforming one of Hong Kong’s beautiful shorelines into an impromptu camping area for numerous night-time tourists.
Several campers participated in trips originating from Mainland China during the Labor Day "Golden Week" vacation, residing in lines of similar tents and coming together at outdoor dining areas for hotpot meals, where the supplies were transported over the border by their tour leaders.
By dawn, the toilet in the sole communal restroom at the beach was blocked due to remnants of meals that visitors had rinsed off. A few tents remained erected for the following batch of travelers expected later that day.
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A mainland tour guide, a young man with the last name Shen who graduated from university majoring in computer science, confessed that he was employed unlawfully in Hong Kong under a tourist visa.
Four clients each paid 888 yuan (US$131) for a two-day camp experience, though the majority of the funds didn’t reach him, according to his statement, as he refused to disclose his earnings.
These moments highlight an important issue for Hong Kong as it aims to redefine itself as a place offering more than just malls and high-end products: Can the city transform its beaches, islands, rural areas, and nature reserves into financial opportunities without letting "eco-tourism" evolve into yet another type of overcrowded travel trend?
According to specialists, environmental advocates, and industry professionals, the solution hinges on whether officials can move beyond merely highlighting tourist attractions to effectively regulating visitor numbers, upholding regulations, assisting nearby residents, and making sure eco-tourism provides sufficient financial returns for preservation efforts.
Alternatively, they cautioned, Hong Kong faced the possibility of undermining the scenery it aimed to showcase.
'Good but late'
Lam Choi-yin, who previously served as an observatory head and advised the Hong Kong Rural Development Association, stated that protecting both cultural heritage and natural environments must be considered "a top concern."
A nonprofit organization was jointly founded in 2011 by former CEO Leung Chun-ying with the aim of uniting individuals who are committed to preserving the rural areas for the lasting advantage of Hong Kong.
Lam stated that safeguarding culture and nature needed to be prioritized since they were "the fundamental motivations" for individuals with resources and leisure to embark on journeys.
Economist Simon Lee Siu-po from the Shenzhen Finance Institute at the Chinese University of Hong Kong stated that well-known locations like Ham Tin Wan, Long Ke Wan, and the eastern dam of the High Island Reservoir have already surpassed their limits.
" It’s beneficial but delayed," he remarked regarding suggestions to implement reservation and charge systems at well-known rural park locations.
Rory Mackay, the creator of the adventure and ecological tourism company Wild Hong Kong, spoke more directly.
Saying it's an 'ecotourism boom' is exaggerated — it's simply mass tourism moving into natural areas," he stated. "These groups bring their own provisions, go hiking or set up camps, and then return directly to the mainland.
The local communities and businesses are facing traffic jams, excessive crowds, and litter, yet they do not benefit financially from these situations.
Mainland tourist visits to Hong Kong have gradually increased since the pandemic, with more people showing enthusiasm for open-air and natural scenery spots during the last two years.
In the past five-day Labor Day Golden Week holiday, the city received approximately 1.19 million tourists, with 1 million coming from the mainland, marking a 10 percent rise compared to the previous year.
In October of last year during the National Day holiday, the number of visits from residents of the mainland surpassed 1.4 million, representing a 15 percent increase compared to the previous year. Authorities noted significant tourist movement at well-known hiking paths, islands, and geological parks.
For many years, Hong Kong's tourist industry thrived on retail activities, eating experiences, and exploring urban attractions.
Nevertheless, this formula has declined because mainland travelers, who typically make up about 80 percent of all international visitors each year, are spending less on shopping and are now more interested in "deep" experiences such as trekking, camping, exploring islands, and touring historic towns.
The administration has also recognized ecotourism as a component of the city's efforts to broaden its tourism offerings, with the 2024 policy speech outlining intentions to develop Tsim Bei Tsui and Pak Nai into eco-conscious travel destinations.
However, the Labor Day throngs revealed the difference between aspiration and ability.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) noted approximately 5,700 visitors visiting the East Dam of High Island Reservoir on May 1, whereas around 3,000 individuals visited Sharp Island on the same day, surpassing predictions.
Sharp Island is included within the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark.
The department implemented an educational strategy for visitors, collaborating with the environmental organization WWF Hong Kong to support conservation initiatives, as personnel provided roughly 300 oral reminders to tourists on Sharp Island.
In Ham Tin Wan, Sai Wan, and Long Ke Wan, approximately 1,100 tents were spotted on the first evening of the holiday.
The department subsequently stated that it took disciplinary measures in 19 instances within Sai Kung East Country Park from May 1 to 5, such as for littering and unauthorized campfires.
The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Tse Chin-wan, stated that authorities intend to implement trial reservation and charging schemes at well-known rural locations by the end of this year's Golden Week holiday in October, as officials deal with increasing worries about overcrowding in national parks and campgrounds.
In response to questions from the South China Morning Post, the department mentioned that it is assessing the possibility of implementing booking systems at certain well-known rural areas and campgrounds, with pilot programs scheduled prior to any permanent adoption.
A representative stated that the department will take into account elements such as conservation requirements, impacts on local and visiting tourists, the possibility of implementing real-name booking systems, law enforcement plans, and necessary infrastructure support.
He mentioned that although the number of visitors during the latest Golden Week holidays was above average, the general conditions, cleanliness, and organization at well-known rural spots and campgrounds remained "mostly satisfactory."
Will booking system help?
Assistant Professor Lisa Wan Chun-ying from the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at Chinese University stated that booking systems typically worked well for popular and ecologically delicate locations since they made the number of visitors a manageable factor.
Among their primary advantages were decreasing traffic jams at busy times, safeguarding environments from excessive use, and enhancing guest security and satisfaction, she noted.
However, Wan warned that booking systems alone were not sufficient and might lead to additional problems, such as increased enforcement expenses, the movement of tourists to unplanned locations, and obstacles for last-minute travelers.
Her statement emphasized that the best method involves integrating booking systems with transportation control, onsite monitoring, and public awareness initiatives.
Earlier this week, the bureau informed legislators about its proposal to introduce a trial reservation system requiring real names for visits to Po Pin Chau — a picturesque promontory known for its large hexagonal volcanic rock formations located east of the High Island Reservoir — and to establish certain regions near Sharp Island as a marine protected area.
Deputy Secretary of State for Environmental Affairs and Ecological Development, Diane Wong Shuk-han, stated that the administration will avoid implementing new measures suddenly, giving tourists time to adjust to modifications. She mentioned that introducing a charge for visiting Po Pin Chau would only be explored once the trial program demonstrates success.
Nevertheless, certain legislators, such as Kitson Yeung Wing-kit, argued that the administration needs to take additional steps concerning Po Pin Chau by mandating a fee at registration for tours, which would be returned once individuals arrive.
Converting Sharp Island into a marine reserve, spanning 63 hectares across the eastern and western coral areas as well as the tombolo, will allow for snorkeling and canoeing along specific paths, while also supporting police patrols, as stated by officials.
A lawmaker and member of the Sai Kung District Council, Christine Fong Kwok-shan, called on authorities to extend the limits of the marine reserve, referencing worries from environmental organizations about ecological harm affecting both northern and southern water areas.
Fong stated to the SCMP that she supported the government's initial move in establishing the system but recommended that they might explore charging fees later to maintain long-term financial stability.
She mentioned that the system might offer greater flexibility in allocating quotas if individuals fail to appear, noting that distinct quotas could also be set aside for residents and visitors.
Additional legislators voiced worries that digital bots and travel companies might manipulate the booking platform.
The Inca Trail in South America also operates with a booking system; however, following its implementation, certain online programs or tour operators quickly secured all available spots within moments, stated legislator Chris Ip Ngo-tung.
My greatest concern is that the quota system, designed to maintain equilibrium, may evolve into a rivalry among automated programs.
Wong from the agency mentioned that the government is examining a voting system where all requests will be gathered prior to the selection process, stopping programs from controlling spots.
However, specialists pointed out that simply enforcing regulations would not address the underlying issue: Hong Kong hasn't determined the type of eco-tourism it aims to develop.
A more gradual approach to eco-tourism
Lam highlighted Lai Chi Wo, a long-standing Hakka community with historical significance, as a case study showing that preservation and tourism can go hand in hand.
It has witnessed locals coming back following years of renewal initiatives led by community members, environmental organizations, and scholars.
Initially, the aim was to revitalize the community," he stated. "During this effort, the community required avenues for economic revenue, making ecotourism or cultural tourism a natural option within a sustainable economy.
Katie Chick Hiu-lai, a senior project manager at the University of Hong Kong's Policy for Sustainability Lab, noted that much of the so-called nature tourism in the region was lacking in both ecological and cultural significance.
The laboratory has also taken part in renewal initiatives at Lai Chi Wo.
"Several operators accustomed to mass tourism recognize that travelers appreciate these locations, so they take visitors there," she stated.
However, does design consider aspects from an ecological or cultural standpoint? Can it improve or safeguard these resources? Typically, such designs do not exist.
She mentioned that the outcome was that funds could be removed by external tourism companies, whereas the effects remained within the community.
"Negative aspects remain in the area, while positive elements are removed," she stated, mentioning waste, ecological strain, and restricted regional earnings.
The challenge is not specific to Hong Kong. In various parts of Asia, authorities implement charges, licenses, and limits to control demand at natural attractions.
Bali imposes an obligatory fee on international tourists aimed at supporting cultural conservation, garbage disposal, and public facilities, whereas Taiwan implements a licensing process for delicate alpine environments.
National and marine parks in Thailand impose entry fees, typically higher for international tourists compared to local residents.
Major national parks on the mainland also implement organized ticket systems, with Zhangjiajie National Forest Park offering a multi-day pass for approximately 250 yuan.
The overall eco-tourism plan on the mainland is influenced by the saying "green mountains and clear rivers equal golden and silver mountains," a vision introduced by President Xi Jinping which presents environmental conservation as an avenue for economic benefit.
A study released in 2022 entitled "Report on the Growth of Ecotourism in China (2022–2023)" was issued by the government-regulated China Eco Development Association along with the publicly traded firm China Ecotourism Group. The report highlighted that ecotourism needs to focus on safeguarding natural environments and cultural heritage, educating tourists, and ensuring responsible resource utilization.
However, it also highlighted issues such as unrefined growth, excessive resource consumption, standardization of products, and flawed administrative frameworks.
Bhutan presents an alternative framework, utilizing a consistent strategy of premium-quality, limited-tourism visits along with a sustainability charge for development.
Unfinished business
Chick mentioned that Hong Kong couldn't just follow others, particularly regions where countryside travel was linked to overall strategies like reducing poverty.
"Individuals living in these regions of Hong Kong may not be impoverished or reliant on tourism," she stated.
Should the main objective be generating significant profits, or should it focus on improving the preservation and worth of environmental and cultural assets while offering some economic assistance to nearby residents?
This difference holds significance for Hong Kong, where natural landscapes are exceptionally near to one of the most densely populated cities globally.
Approximately 40 percent of the city’s area is set aside as a rural park, yet numerous picturesque locations can be accessed without charge and have minimal restrictions when contrasted with well-known national parks abroad.
Economist Lee suggested that Hong Kong could take inspiration from locations like Australia's Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, where tourists pay an entrance fee and remain in the vicinity, thereby developing a more comprehensive tourist industry surrounding the preserved site.
if sufficient attractions are available for visitors, they will be inclined to spend money," he stated. "visitors come to the park, dine there, and remain overnight.
He mentioned that Sai Kung, Tung Ping Chau, and Tap Mun hold promise for activities such as scuba diving, angling, eating out, observing stars, and learning about the environment, yet require effective administration and regulations.
Mackay acknowledged that Hong Kong required better enforcement measures, yet cautioned against universal reservation systems that penalized conscientious local trekkers without effectively preventing misconduct.
"Targeted limitations and rigorous, real-time implementation are necessary," he stated.
Professor Wan from Chinese University encouraged Hong Kong to shift its attention away from boosting tourist figures and instead concentrate on adhering to environmental boundaries.
"The main challenge lies not in drawing more tourists, but in ensuring environmental boundaries are respected while providing exceptional visitor experiences," she stated.
If that change didn't happen, eco-tourism faced the possibility of being "renamed mass tourism."
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