Day 1 of Sai Kung East Dam Po Pin Chau reservation system

Today marks the first day of the trial reservation system for the Po Pin Chau Section at the High Island Reservoir East Dam in Sai Kung.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department says about 140 people made a booking within an hour after the pilot scheme opens.

At the entrance of the Po Pin Chau Section of the Geo Trail, tourists have to present their QR code and identity documents to verify their booking made before being allowed in.

As some tourists did not turn up for their bookings, the unused quotas were also released to visitors on site.

To better manage crowds at the popular geo trail, the government has introduced the pilot reservation scheme this weekend, the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and the Golden Week holidays over four time slots a day between 9am and 5pm.

A quota of 500 visitors is allowed for each two-hour time slot.

Authorities will review the system and whether there’s a need to introduce a fee in the future.