Key facts
- Ham Tin Wan beach in Sai Kung was overwhelmed by 500 tents during a recent holiday.
- Some campers were part of tours from mainland China, with guides operating on tourist visas.
- The scene highlighted concerns about mass tourism impacting Hong Kong's natural sites.
- Experts suggest active management of visitor flows and community support are vital for sustainable ecotourism.
Hong Kong is facing a critical question about how to develop its natural attractions for tourism without compromising their integrity. Recent scenes at Ham Tin Wan beach in Sai Kung, where 500 tents covered the sands during a holiday, illustrated the potential for ecotourism to devolve into mass tourism.
Overnight visitors, including groups from mainland China on organized tours, left behind clogged bathrooms and abandoned tents. One guide admitted to working illegally on a tourist visa, highlighting regulatory challenges. The trips, costing participants 888 yuan (US$131), underscore the economic potential but also the risks.