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The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department today (February 9) reminded people that a new advance booking system for group visits to the Hong Kong Wetland Park on Sundays and public holidays would start from February 25.
All groups plan to visit the park on Sundays and public holidays on or after February 25 should reserve their group tickets through on-line and fax booking system. The park will not sell group tickets on-site on Sundays and public holidays starting that day. However, sale of individual tickets will not be affected.
An additional 6,000 daily tickets will be set aside for group visitors from organisations or tour agents on Sundays and public holidays in addition to the existing 2,500 on-line 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 starts on December 27, 2006, and closes on February 18, 2007.
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 one million visitors since its inception on May 20 last 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 a 50% deposit to the applicants 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 are available on the park's website at http://www.wetlandpark.com/en/visitor/admission.asp.
The spokesman also reminded visitors that the park would close on the first and second day of the Chinese New Year (February 18 and 19).
While the park is normally closed on Tuesdays, it will be open on February 20 which is a public holiday.
The spokesman also reminded visitors that smoking was prohibited in the park, including indoor and outdoor areas.
Visitors should keep the park clean and refrain from shouting or running.
Ends/Friday, February 9, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:30
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