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The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will introduce a new advance booking system for group visits to the Hong Kong Wetland Park on Sundays and public holidays to enable better crowd control at the park. Starting from February 25, 2007, all group tickets for Sundays and public holidays should be reserved through the online and fax booking system. The park will not sell group tickets on-site on Sundays and public holidays. Sale of individual tickets will not be affected.
The department announced today (December 11) that effective from February 25, 2007, 6,000 additional daily tickets would be set aside for group visitors from organisations or tour agents for Sundays and public holidays in addition to the existing 2,500 online booking quota. Group applications from organisations or tour agents must be made not more than 60 calendar days and not less than seven calendar days before the admission through advance fax booking system on a first-come, first-served basis, i.e., booking on February 25, 2007 will start on December 27, 2006 and close on February 18, 2007. The park's Ticket Office will not sell group tickets on-site on February 25, 2007 and Sundays and public holidays thereafter.
The quota of 6,000 tickets would be equally divided between the morning session from 10am to 1pm and the afternoon session from 2pm to 5pm.
A department spokesman explained that the new arrangement would help to ensure public safety and enjoyment by controlling the number of visitors.
"The park has attracted more than 750,000 visitors since its inception on May 20 this year. Daily visits range from 2,000 to 3,000 on weekdays, and from 8,000 to 10,000 or even more on weekends or public holidays," he said.
"Without new control measures, the public will not be able to enjoy the park due to overcrowding."
Under the new booking system for Sundays and public holidays, tour groups including those arranged by travel agents should send their applications by fax from 60 calendar days to at least seven calendar days before the admission.
To ensure no wastage of the quota, the park will charge applicants a 50% deposit after accepting their bookings.
For individuals, sale of tickets at the Ticket Office on those days will remain unchanged.
The new system will be reviewed three months after introduction. The new procedures and application forms will be available on the park's website at www.wetlandpark.com.
Ends/Monday, December 11, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:48
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