Editorial | Let Hong Kong’s prized trails lead to beauty, not ugliness
Visitors to Hong Kong’s popular hiking routes must ensure their ecological value is maintained while also enjoying better facilities
The award-winning documentary Four Trails, which depicts a gruelling 298km (185-mile) ultra-running challenge along Hong Kong’s top hiking routes, has been a surprise box office hit.
The film showcases the city’s stunning scenery. This has not been lost on the government as it looks to develop a greater variety of tourist attractions to meet rising demand from visitors for “in-depth” experiences.
Among nine “hotspots” unveiled last month was “four peaks” tourism, inspired by the documentary, which will offer easy hiking routes along popular trails.
These areas of outstanding beauty are already a draw for visitors, mostly from the mainland, where they feature on social media. It makes sense to add them to the campaign.
But there are also risks in encouraging people to visit the treasured sites. It must be done in a measured and sustainable way, ensuring visitors have an enjoyable experience and that the trails, with their ecological value, are not damaged or otherwise spoiled.
Hundreds of tourists have flocked to East Dam in Sai Kung, causing traffic congestion and long queues for toilets and taxis. During last month’s “golden week” holiday, police undertook crowd control duties at the spot, part of the city’s Unesco Global Geopark.