Hong Kong to test new campsite booking system amid overcrowding, litter concerns

2026.03.18 09:20 Greenpeace has called for long-term measures to tackle overtourism in Sai Kung after the number of tents at a campsite reached more than nine times its capacity on the second day of Chinese New Year. Photo: Greenpeace Hong Kong could introduce pilot schemes for booking campsites in the city before the National Day holiday in October, as authorities revealed that 32 people were prosecuted for offences in Sai Kung’s country parks over the Chinese New Year holiday. Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan told the Legislative Council on Wednesday that most of those prosecuted were non-locals charged with littering. Authorities had earlier said they were looking at implementing a booking system and charging fees for camping hotspots to address public concerns about overcrowded beaches and litter during the festive period. Greenpeace had earlier called for long-term measures to tackle overtourism in Sai Kung after the number of tents at a campsite reached more than nine times its capacity on the second day of Chinese New Year, with its members observing various “damaging deeds”. Tse said authorities wanted to trial various management methods on a pilot basis because the new charging or reservation system would be vastly different from the measures applied to most country park sites run by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). “This aims to gain experience and evaluate the pros and cons of different approaches and help formulate a long-term implementation plan,” he said. Tse added that authorities hoped to launch the pilot scheme as soon as possible, with the measures expected to be unveiled no later than mainland China’s National Day “golden week” holiday in October. Authorities have said 32 people were prosecuted for offences in Sai Kung’s countryside over the Chinese New Year holiday. Photo: Greenpeace Asked why authorities would not consider extending the existing booking mechanism for the Twisk Campsite at Tai Lam C

原文链接: 南华早报