Hong Kong ombudsman probes oversight of tourist facilities at nature spots

Hong Kong’s ombudsman is assessing the management of tourist facilities at local nature spots, with the investigation aiming to enhance the city’s green tourism push.

The Office of the Ombudsman said on Thursday that its investigation was prompted by media reports that essential amenities, such as toilets, were often inadequate, and that the information for transport and other facilities was frequently outdated or hard to find in nature areas.

Complaints had surfaced about the slow progress of maintenance efforts and the lack of resources, such as delays in repairing rain shelters and the lack of publicity for visitor centres, it said.

The investigation will examine the work of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and other related bodies in managing and maintaining the ancillary tourist facilities.

It will also assess the dissemination of information on hiking activities and outdoor facilities.

“Proper management of countryside ancillary tourist facilities not only helps protect the safety of hikers and visitors but also enhances the outdoor experience for members of the public and tourists, thereby strengthening Hong Kong’s appeal as a green tourism hotspot,” Ombudsman Jack Chan Jick-chi said.

Chan said that problems such as rubbish accumulation and traffic congestion had emerged during the recent Labour Day golden week holiday, when many locals and tourists visited the city’s mountains and country parks.