Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau Joins Tokyo Pride, Targets More Than 100 All Gender Accommodation Certifications to Tap into the Global Rainbow Economy
Updated:2026-07-08
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[This article was translated by AI]
To position Kaohsiung as Asia’s most inclusive and welcoming travel destination, the Tourism Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government has been advancing inclusive accommodation standards. Following the pioneering launch of its all gender accommodation certification system in 2023—which won the Gender Equality Innovation Award from the Executive Yuan—the Bureau has successfully guided 60 lodging operators to obtain all gender accommodation certification. This year, the Bureau continues to implement the "2026 All Gender Accommodation Certification Program," aiming to surpass the milestone of 100 certified accommodations. This initiative underscores Kaohsiung's commitment to tapping into the global rainbow economy while consistently fostering a safe, welcoming, and diverse travel and lodging environment. Furthermore, the Tourism Bureau recently collaborated with the Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership Rights (TAPCPR) and the Taiwan AIDS Foundation to participate in Tokyo Pride in Japan. During the event, the delegation developed a Japanese-language brochure titled "Kaohsiung All Gender Accommodation" and distributed rainbow-themed Kaohsiung Bear souvenirs. By building an accessible information platform and proactively showcasing Kaohsiung's values of gender inclusivity to international tourists, the Bureau aims to enhance the city's visibility in Asia's diverse tourism market and seamlessly connect with global LGBTIQ+ tourism and the pink economy.
Kao Min-lin, Director-General of the Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau, stated that as the global travel market increasingly prioritizes human rights issues and the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), gender-inclusive services have gradually become a critical indicator for international travelers when choosing accommodations. According to the 2026 Annual Mayors' Satisfaction Survey conducted by Global Views Monthly, Kaohsiung City ranked first among the six special municipalities in the "Tourism and Leisure" category for the third consecutive year, demonstrating strong public recognition of the city's tourism brand and service quality. The Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau pioneered the "All Gender Accommodation Certification" label and guidance program, which was honored with the "Gender Innovation Award" at the Executive Yuan's 23rd Golden Carnation Award. Furthermore, the Bureau achieved the "Taiwan LGBTIQ+ Workplace Inclusion Index" certification. These achievements not only demonstrate the Bureau's comprehensive commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion—spanning from its internal workplace culture to the external promotion of tourism policies—but also highlight its ongoing efforts to attract visitors through large-scale concerts, international IP collaborations, and city branding. By further integrating the concepts of gender diversity and inclusion into the tourism sector, Kaohsiung continues to enhance its global competitiveness and actively capture the international pink economy market.
Kao Min-lin pointed out that the "2026 All Gender Accommodation Certification Program" recently concluded two certification briefings and a series of educational training seminars, attracting over 50 hospitality operators. By advancing a three-pronged strategy comprising a certification system, professional training, and international marketing, the Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau is actively expanding participation in the All Gender Accommodation Certification Program, marching steadily toward its goal of surpassing 100 certified accommodations. Through professional training courses, practical case sharing, on-site expert guidance and inspections, cross-disciplinary exchanges, and specialized subsidies, the program enhances gender-inclusive facilities, service measures, and spatial planning across multiple dimensions. These include both hardware and software aspects such as service workflows, lodging environments, and hospitality management. The initiative aims to assist operators in progressively establishing accommodation service standards that align with international trends while elevating their hospitality capabilities for providing gender-inclusive services. Furthermore, the Tourism Bureau is leveraging digital tools, social media promotion, online travel agency (OTA) booking platforms, and international marketing resources to broadly promote Kaohsiung's welcoming and inclusive travel brand.
As part of its international market expansion efforts, the Tourism Bureau participated in Tokyo Pride during Pride Month in June, joining the "TEAM TAIWAN" contingent initiated by the Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership Rights (TAPCPR) and the Taiwan AIDS Foundation. Furthermore, in collaboration with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan, the Bureau set up a promotional booth to market Kaohsiung tourism, proactively introducing international travelers to the city's achievements in All Gender accommodations and its diverse travel resources. At the event, the Bureau distributed the Japanese-language brochure "Kaohsiung All Gender Accommodation," along with rainbow-themed stickers and souvenirs featuring the city's mascot, Kaohsiung Bear. These efforts showcased Kaohsiung’s tangible achievements in building an inclusive travel destination, with the ultimate goal of attracting visitors from Japan and the international LGBTIQ+ community to experience Kaohsiung as a place where they can travel and stay with peace of mind.
The Tourism Bureau explained that the "2026 All Gender Accommodation Certification Program" this year featured two educational training courses on gender inclusivity. The first session focused on LGBTQ+ family travel needs, the rainbow economy, and gender mainstreaming. Chen Tzu-liang, Chairperson of the Taiwan LGBT Family Rights Advocacy; Yu Mei-hui, Professor and Director of the Graduate Institute of Gender Education at the National Kaohsiung Normal University (NKNU); and Hsieh Yun-hsi, Chairperson of the Kaohsiung LGBTQ+ Pride Community Association, were invited to share their practical expertise. aiming to help hospitality operators deepen their understanding of diverse gender communities and enhancing service planning across various dimensions, including institutional governance, family requirements, and market development trends.
The second session focused on the accommodation needs of transgender travelers and related legal practices. Wu Yi-ting, Chairperson of Beyond Gender, and Chen Po-yu, Managing Partner of Yu-Honest Law Firm, were invited to deliver keynote presentations. Their insights aimed to help operators optimize reception procedures and service quality while ensuring full compliance with current regulations. Furthermore, the program included a site visit to the "UNS" B&B (阡陌一舍), where the owner shared their space design philosophy, inclusive reception procedures, and extensive experience in serving diverse travelers, offering practical benchmarks for industry peers.
The Tourism Bureau stated that the "2026 All Gender Accommodation Certification Program" will continuously guide hospitality operators to actively elevate the overall travel environment and international hospitality services. By deepening public-private collaboration and joining forces with industry partners, the Bureau aims to build an internationally recognized inclusive tourism brand, fostering a diverse and welcoming environment where every traveler can travel safely, comfortably, and with confidence. For more information, please visit the Kaohsiung Travel website, official Facebook and Instagram pages, or the 'Kaohsiung GO!' app.
To position Kaohsiung as Asia’s most inclusive and welcoming travel destination, the Tourism Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government has been advancing inclusive accommodation standards. Following the pioneering launch of its all gender accommodation certification system in 2023—which won the Gender Equality Innovation Award from the Executive Yuan—the Bureau has successfully guided 60 lodging operators to obtain all gender accommodation certification. This year, the Bureau continues to implement the "2026 All Gender Accommodation Certification Program," aiming to surpass the milestone of 100 certified accommodations. This initiative underscores Kaohsiung's commitment to tapping into the global rainbow economy while consistently fostering a safe, welcoming, and diverse travel and lodging environment. Furthermore, the Tourism Bureau recently collaborated with the Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership Rights (TAPCPR) and the Taiwan AIDS Foundation to participate in Tokyo Pride in Japan. During the event, the delegation developed a Japanese-language brochure titled "Kaohsiung All Gender Accommodation" and distributed rainbow-themed Kaohsiung Bear souvenirs. By building an accessible information platform and proactively showcasing Kaohsiung's values of gender inclusivity to international tourists, the Bureau aims to enhance the city's visibility in Asia's diverse tourism market and seamlessly connect with global LGBTIQ+ tourism and the pink economy.
Kao Min-lin, Director-General of the Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau, stated that as the global travel market increasingly prioritizes human rights issues and the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), gender-inclusive services have gradually become a critical indicator for international travelers when choosing accommodations. According to the 2026 Annual Mayors' Satisfaction Survey conducted by Global Views Monthly, Kaohsiung City ranked first among the six special municipalities in the "Tourism and Leisure" category for the third consecutive year, demonstrating strong public recognition of the city's tourism brand and service quality. The Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau pioneered the "All Gender Accommodation Certification" label and guidance program, which was honored with the "Gender Innovation Award" at the Executive Yuan's 23rd Golden Carnation Award. Furthermore, the Bureau achieved the "Taiwan LGBTIQ+ Workplace Inclusion Index" certification. These achievements not only demonstrate the Bureau's comprehensive commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion—spanning from its internal workplace culture to the external promotion of tourism policies—but also highlight its ongoing efforts to attract visitors through large-scale concerts, international IP collaborations, and city branding. By further integrating the concepts of gender diversity and inclusion into the tourism sector, Kaohsiung continues to enhance its global competitiveness and actively capture the international pink economy market.
Kao Min-lin pointed out that the "2026 All Gender Accommodation Certification Program" recently concluded two certification briefings and a series of educational training seminars, attracting over 50 hospitality operators. By advancing a three-pronged strategy comprising a certification system, professional training, and international marketing, the Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau is actively expanding participation in the All Gender Accommodation Certification Program, marching steadily toward its goal of surpassing 100 certified accommodations. Through professional training courses, practical case sharing, on-site expert guidance and inspections, cross-disciplinary exchanges, and specialized subsidies, the program enhances gender-inclusive facilities, service measures, and spatial planning across multiple dimensions. These include both hardware and software aspects such as service workflows, lodging environments, and hospitality management. The initiative aims to assist operators in progressively establishing accommodation service standards that align with international trends while elevating their hospitality capabilities for providing gender-inclusive services. Furthermore, the Tourism Bureau is leveraging digital tools, social media promotion, online travel agency (OTA) booking platforms, and international marketing resources to broadly promote Kaohsiung's welcoming and inclusive travel brand.
As part of its international market expansion efforts, the Tourism Bureau participated in Tokyo Pride during Pride Month in June, joining the "TEAM TAIWAN" contingent initiated by the Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership Rights (TAPCPR) and the Taiwan AIDS Foundation. Furthermore, in collaboration with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan, the Bureau set up a promotional booth to market Kaohsiung tourism, proactively introducing international travelers to the city's achievements in All Gender accommodations and its diverse travel resources. At the event, the Bureau distributed the Japanese-language brochure "Kaohsiung All Gender Accommodation," along with rainbow-themed stickers and souvenirs featuring the city's mascot, Kaohsiung Bear. These efforts showcased Kaohsiung’s tangible achievements in building an inclusive travel destination, with the ultimate goal of attracting visitors from Japan and the international LGBTIQ+ community to experience Kaohsiung as a place where they can travel and stay with peace of mind.
The Tourism Bureau explained that the "2026 All Gender Accommodation Certification Program" this year featured two educational training courses on gender inclusivity. The first session focused on LGBTQ+ family travel needs, the rainbow economy, and gender mainstreaming. Chen Tzu-liang, Chairperson of the Taiwan LGBT Family Rights Advocacy; Yu Mei-hui, Professor and Director of the Graduate Institute of Gender Education at the National Kaohsiung Normal University (NKNU); and Hsieh Yun-hsi, Chairperson of the Kaohsiung LGBTQ+ Pride Community Association, were invited to share their practical expertise. aiming to help hospitality operators deepen their understanding of diverse gender communities and enhancing service planning across various dimensions, including institutional governance, family requirements, and market development trends.
The second session focused on the accommodation needs of transgender travelers and related legal practices. Wu Yi-ting, Chairperson of Beyond Gender, and Chen Po-yu, Managing Partner of Yu-Honest Law Firm, were invited to deliver keynote presentations. Their insights aimed to help operators optimize reception procedures and service quality while ensuring full compliance with current regulations. Furthermore, the program included a site visit to the "UNS" B&B (阡陌一舍), where the owner shared their space design philosophy, inclusive reception procedures, and extensive experience in serving diverse travelers, offering practical benchmarks for industry peers.
The Tourism Bureau stated that the "2026 All Gender Accommodation Certification Program" will continuously guide hospitality operators to actively elevate the overall travel environment and international hospitality services. By deepening public-private collaboration and joining forces with industry partners, the Bureau aims to build an internationally recognized inclusive tourism brand, fostering a diverse and welcoming environment where every traveler can travel safely, comfortably, and with confidence. For more information, please visit the Kaohsiung Travel website, official Facebook and Instagram pages, or the 'Kaohsiung GO!' app.
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