'AFCD to be flexible in managing Po Pin Chau trail'

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said on Thursday that all quotas to visit the Po Pin Chau trail tourist hotspot in Sai Kung East Country Park until October 5 have been snapped up. Speaking after a visit to the area with lawmakers, AFCD director Mickey Lai said officers would adopt a flexible approach when people show up without a reservation while making all efforts to ensure their safety. "We know that many visitors came all the way here. We hope they won't go home empty-handed," he said. "We will try to let visitors head to the trail whenever possible." Lai said officers would also use drones to monitor the situation at the viewing platform as well as carry out patrols along the trail. He called on hikers to weigh their abilities and act accordingly amid scorching heat. The department will review the real-name reservation trial scheme when it comes to an end on October 7 to explore ways to tackle no-shows, facilitate visitors' journeys and streamline management, Lai added. A visitor from Fujian, Zhang, told RTHK he booked a spot around the middle of September and praised the crowd-management arrangement "because it won't let too many people head there and it won't be overcrowded". "It's quite good." Edited by Aaron Tam

2026-10-01 14:55:00