KAOHSIUNG (TVBS News) — Kaohsiung's Tourism Bureau (高雄觀光局) has successfully guided 40 hotels and guesthouses toward gender-friendly certification since 2023, officials announced Thursday (April 17). The southern Taiwanese city plans to double that number through a new art installation subsidy program launching this year, reinforcing the port city's commitment to inclusive tourism.
The bureau hosted its inaugural gender-friendly accommodation certification seminar Wednesday at CHATEAU de CHINE (翰品酒店), drawing representatives from 21 local hotels and guesthouses. Tourism Bureau Director-general Kao Minlin (高閔琳) emphasized Kaohsiung's role as a trailblazer in developing a standardized certification system. The program features expert consultations to guide hospitality businesses in creating more inclusive environments for families, women travelers, and guests across the gender spectrum.
According to bureau officials, the initiative extends beyond this year's scheduled training courses and lectures to include a specialized art installation subsidy program. This financial support aims to elevate management practices while nurturing a more inclusive tourism ecosystem throughout the city. Kao explained that the program will incentivize hospitality businesses to incorporate rainbow art flags and design gender-friendly restroom facilities, simultaneously promoting inclusivity and enhancing the artistic quality of public spaces.
Hospitality professionals attending the seminar expressed appreciation for the initiative's practical guidance. Hsu Yi-wen (許以玟), deputy manager at CHATEAU de CHINE, noted that the training significantly deepened her understanding of creating safe and respectful reception environments. Similarly, Liu Chia-chen (劉佳貞), manager at Howard Plaza Hotel Kaohsiung (高雄福華大飯店), highlighted how the course reinforced the fundamental importance of cultivating genuinely welcoming spaces for all guests. ★
