Ecotourism in Hong Kong

The image of Hong Kong is well known as shoppers paradise and off-white of the Orient. Further, according to the International Market Research Study, it shows that the lack of young appeals in Hong Kong is a signifi put forwardt reason for it not being considered as a vacation destination. Therefore, it is necessary to expand the appeals of Hong Kong. Why not procedure our existing natural resources as tourist attractions? To maintain the competitiveness, Hong Kong should build up its own unique and extra character. Natural wonders of the territory digest a chance to show the uniqueness and international significance of Hong Kong ecology.Green tourism, outdoors, hiking and constitution be some of the new and promising products most needed by consumers. structure ecotourism could attract special interest tourists. It was found that nature-based activities or scenery is ane of the top attractions which the visitors to Hong Kong be interested in. These natural attractions incl ude miscues to outlying(prenominal) islands, nature reserves (Mai Po), beaches, mountain hiking, urban nature trails and dolphin- checking. Hong Kongs remote, unpolluted outlying islands atomic number 18 an attraction for tourists.Many tourists are surprised that Hong Kong has dolphins in one of the mankind busiest harbors. In addition, a survey completed by the HKTA found that astir(predicate) 15% of tourists are interested in taking part in outdoor and hiking activities in Hong Kong. Since many overseas tourists are interested in seeing wildlife and beauty natural beautiful, there is a potential foodstuff for ecotourism. About 70% of Hong Kong is rural area. Nature is right on the metropoliss doorstep. They are mostly accessible by buses and minibuses. Hiking, swimming, scubas-diving and sailing are all possible just a short journey from urban area.A get along of 24 country parks have been designated for the spirits of nature conservation, countryside deviation and outdoo r education. There are22 special areas created mainly for the purpose of nature conservation. The country parks and special areas cover a total area of 44239 hectares. The country parks comprise scenic hills, woodlands, reservoirs and coastline in all parts of Hong Kong. The country parks are very democratic with all sectors of the community and spending a day in a country park is one of the best recreational choices. About 12. one million million million visitors were recorded in 2012 and most visitors engaged in leisure walking, hiking, cook out and camping. Hong Kong has glory and gravid scenic beauty, and also rich ecology. These are salient(ip) advantages for promoting ecotourism. Besides, Hong Kong is characterized by hilly topography with less low flat land areas. It consists of unexploited and unspoiled steep hills, some 230 outlying islands and also other geographic and ecological features of high scenic and amenity value on governance lands with unrestricted public ac cess and proximity to the urban areas.There is a capacious variety of scenic views, landscape features and habitats including sandy beaches, fluctuatey foreshores, mountain ranges, grasslands, valleys, scrub lands and so on. The sub-tropical climatic environment and extensive undeveloped tracts of natural landscapes provide a all-inclusive range of habitats, and supports high biodiversity of flora and fauna, both house physician and migratory. There are about 500 species of birds, one-third of all species of birds in China. More than 230 species of butterflies and over 100 species of dragonflies can be found.There are much than 2600 species of vascular plants, 50 species of mammals, 80 species of reptiles and more than 20 species of amphibians in Hong Kong (AFCD 2013). A high proportion of birds in Hong Kong are winter visitors and passage migrants in spring and autumn, followed by resident birds and summer visitors. Migration is a strong instinct, and birds (particularly pe eing birds) are often able to traverse immense natural barriers, a great deal migrating and making one or more stopovers en route.In Hong Kong, we can watch butterflies in all seasons due to warm climate and the presence of a variety of habitats. There are over 230 butterfly species in Hong Kong and more than 130 species have been recorded in Hong Kong Wetland Park. The Butterfly Garden in the Hong Kong Wetland Park is planted with various larval food plants and nectar plants. It is an specimen place for learning butterflies. Dragonflies and damselflies are among the most beautiful and spectacular insects in the world.Their lives are closely intertwined with wetlands. Up to April 2009, there are 115 species of dragonfly officially recorded in Hong Kong. During the Dragonfly Festival, Hong Kong Wetland Park will imprint a series of activities for public to broaden their knowledge of dragonflies. These activities also aimed to advertise dragonflies watching and encourage the publ ic to engage in the conservation workings of wetlands and dragonflies. Our bustling metropolis has more than 40% of its land designated as saved green areas.Apart from providing habitats for our myriad wildlife, this verdant countryside is also home to world-class rock formations and geological features. A geopark is a unique natural area with special geological significance and natural and cultural landscapes, and can serve the triple objectives of conservation, education and sustained tuition. The oceanic Parks Ordinance protects and conserves the devil dog environment and a rich collection of aquatic animals and plants, such as corals, sea grasses and dolphins. In Hong Kong, there are 84 species of reef-building corals.Reef-building Corals in Hong Kong with the thin colors and graceful growth forms and they also build homes for a wide range of naval animals. At present, there are four marine parks and one marine reserve, including Hoi Ha Wan marine Park, Yan Chau Tong Mar ine Park, Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park, Tung Ping Chau Marine Park and Cape DAguilar Marine Reserve. They cover a total area of 2 430 hectares and comprise scenic coastal areas, seascapes and important marine habitats. Marine parks and reserve can be managed for conservation, education, recreation and scientific studies.In marine parks, visitors are encouraged to notify the beauty and diversity of marine life. Diving, snorkeling, swimming, canoeing, sailing, underwater photography and school visits are popular activities in marine parks. Educational activities such as guide tours, beach clean-ups, seabed clean-ups and public lectures are regularly organized. Tourists can come part in them. To conclude, there is a great potential for the pull ahead development of ecotourism in Hong Kong since the territory is rich in ecology with outstanding natural beauty.Pure Ecotourism can include as one of the attractions in the trip to experience the green side of Hong Kong and to show the compact and variety of the territory. However, it is incompatible to promote ecotourism without any development strategy. To ensure the ecological sustainability of nature and ecotourism, colloquy should be in the first priority when developing ecotourism. For the sustainable development of ecotourism, it is important to let tourism industry, government, tourists and residents know what is the meaning of ecotourism.