Accessibility and destination choices : a study of recreational activities in Hong Kong country parks

Abstract

Visitor numbers in Hong Kong’s Country Parks are increasing, but there has not been an established crowd-management strategy. This study intended to examine the following areas in relation to the recreational use of country parks and accessibility, namely: the relationship between visitor distribution and site accessibility; types of recreational activities performed inside Country Parks; characteristics of park visitors and the social carrying capacity of Hong Kong Country Parks. Questionnaire surveys revealed that, in general, visitors felt that Hong Kong’s Country Parks were approaching their limits of social carrying capacity. In addition, while visitors liked to travel on more comfortable grounds, some access difficulties were still preferred. Sites that are too easy to access may not be attractive to certain visitors. The current study also showed that the most popular activities performed by visitors in Country Parks were hiking, photography, barbecuing, picnicking and camping. New activities such as river trekking, rock climbing that penetrate into the remote parts of the Country Parks also received significant popularity. By comparing visitors and non-visitors, results showed that people who have visited the Country Parks were more likely to treasure the intrinsic values of the natural environment; visitors were also more likely to consider how the natural environment could serve their own recreational benefits. Results of this study might have management implications to park managers and policy-makers in the planning, design and future use of Hong Kong Country Parks.