ecotourism

Some places in the countryside can be crowded nowadays, perhaps with queues waiting to start on trails.

I’m fascinated to look around Cape Town, partly as I’ve found it mentioned in a report on cities and biodiversity, according to which ecotourism is among the significant benefits Cape Town derives from the natural environment.

Tung Ping Chau is one of my favourite places in Hong Kong. But while I enjoyed the scenery during a recent visit – such as mudstone cliffs and crags, beaches, and quiet hamlets amidst woodland – there was sadness too.             Sadness because the hamlets were too quiet, with the few small stores that usually sold food and drink to visitors all closed. On some buildings and at several sites around the island there were big yellow banners with bold red writing complaining about government actions that had led to stores closing and caused other grievances.

Here's something I wrote recently, at request of Coalition for Sustainable Tourism. Came after some years railing against batty local regulations, that mean officially can't accept freelance tour guides in Hong Kong.

At the end of 2006, the Hong Kong Tourism Board published a booklet I helped with (writing, and contributed some photos). Discover Hong Kong Nature: 84 pages, covering range of places including the Peak, Mai Po Marshes, Tai Long Wan (Sai Kung), Cheung Chau, Peng Chau and Tai O.

Tung Ping Chau is set in the east of Mirs Bay.