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MORE THAN ROCKY ROADS

The Young Reporter (2011, December), 44(03), pp. 8, 9.
Author: Ada Yeung, Alvina Hung, Jim Wong. Editor: Bhavan Jaipragas, Gina Ng, Simon Yuen, Winnie Yiu.
Permanent URL - https://sys01.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/bujspa/purl.php?&did=bujspa0010407

Unusual rock formations, unique landforms and picturesque scenery at Hong Kong Geopark have much to offer nature lovers and eco-tourists

STORY / ADA YEUNG, ALVINA HUNG, JIM WONG

EDITED BY / BHAVAN JAIPRAGAS, GINA NG, SIMON YUEN, WINNIE YIU

ECO-TOURISM'S RUGGED PATHWAY

International recognition of HK Geopark is welcome, but it will take time for eco-tours to sink in

Hong Kong Geopark's recognition by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has come as a spur to the city's nascent eco-tourism business.

But operators say there is still a long way to go before the idea of touring nature sinks in among locals.

Spanning an area of about 50 square kilometres, Hong Kong Geopark covers the the sedimentary rock region in Northeast New Territories and the volcanic rock region in Saikung.

The two region’s unusual rock formations, unique landforms and picturesque scenery are regarded as ideal for geology and landform studies.

UNESCO announced its acceptance of Hong Kong Geopark's application for membership of the Global Geoparks’ Network (GGN) on 17th September 2011.

Mr Charles Lee Yee-keung, 48, a nature lover who founded Traveler Hong Kong Ltd in 2000, said eco-tours were most popular during SARS in 2003 as people came to realize the importance of getting near to nature. But he said the fad did not last long.

As people’s passion for nature faded a year later, Mr Lee found himself in debt and even thought of closing down his business. “One is confined by principles like keeping the size of tour groups small to make them eco-friendly,” he said

To broaden and stablise his sources of income, Mr Lee started offering professional courses for tour guides.

Walk Hong Kong is another licensed eco-tour operator which offers off-beat tours, such as visits to markets in Kowloon, photography workshops and bird-watching walks.

Its director, Ms Jackie Peers, who hails from New Zealand, said Hong Kong’s environment was fragile.

She said there was very little set up in the city Kong for eco-tourism and her clients were often upset by the rubbish found on the trails.

“We are a long way from having a clean environment, “she said, adding that some locals did not seem to know the importance of being eco-friendly despite the government’s effort in maintaining the good hiking trails.

Scholars think Hong Kong’s understanding of eco-tourism has deviated from what it truly should be. “Eco-tourism is something more than visiting zoos or taking photos of natural scenaries [i.e. scenery],” said Dr. Teresa Tao, assistant professor at the Department of Geography, University of Hong Kong.

She said she did not think many people in Hong Kong understood the difference between eco-tours and conventional tours. Some travel agencies claimed they offered eco-tours to attract customers by using the spectacular views as a selling point, but they focused too much on profit-making and neglected the education and conservation purposes of ecotourism.

Education of both responsible eco-tour guides and tourists was crucial to development of eco-tourism, said Dr. Tao.

But the future is not entirely bleak. The Travel Industry Council has established an Accredited Geopark Guides system. At the Hong Kong Geopark, only tours led by accredited guides will be recognised as quality geotours.

Mr Lee welcomed the new system as it could attract talents to join the trade and ensure the quality of the tours.

Mr Edmond Lam, a senior country parks and rangers service officer of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, said the government was committed to promoting eco-tours, but faced various difficulties in designing appealing tourism packages.

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