Taiwan's 1st Travel Agency to Receive GSTC is in Hualien – Showcasing the Organic Tourism Brand to the World

(中央社訊息服務20250411 14:51:17)Taiwan’s tourism industry has reached a significant milestone! Hualien is now home to the first locally operated travel agency in Taiwan to be certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

On April 10th, Hualien County Mayor Hsu Chen-Wei awarded the nation’s first GSTC certification for a travel agency to Leading Taiwan Travel Agency, signaling Hualien’s commitment to becoming Taiwan’s first carbon-neutral county by 2025. Together with industry leaders, she reaffirmed Hualien’s mission: “Smart and Friendly Tourism, Sustainable Hualien for All,” aiming to open the doors of Taiwan’s sustainable tourism to the world.

Mayor Hsu declared, “Sustainability is part of everyday life in Hualien.” Under two core initiatives—“Net-Zero Lifestyle for All” and “New Net-Zero Tourism City”—the Hualien County Government is pushing for 2025 to be the county’s Year One of Carbon Neutrality, leading local industries toward a future in harmony with environmental sustainability.

By receiving Taiwan’s first-ever GSTC certification, Leading Taiwan Travel Agency has set a national precedent and demonstrated the county’s determination to lead in sustainable development. This achievement also reflects the active participation of local businesses in green transformation, truly embedding sustainability as part of their daily operations, and elevating Hualien’s role as a pioneer in global sustainable tourism.

On April 10, Mayor Hsu presented the GSTC certification to Leading Taiwan Travel Agency, part of the Les Champs Hotel Group, congratulating them on being the first local travel agency in Taiwan to attain the GSTC mark. General Manager Chang Hsuan-Han shared that the certification followed an 18-month rigorous evaluation by the internationally renowned Dutch certifier Control Union Certifications, based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria. The assessment covered areas such as policy development, supply chain management, environmental practices, and cultural respect, reflecting Leading’s strong commitment and concrete actions toward sustainable tourism.

Chang emphasized that the certification process also included collaborative upgrades with supply chain partners. Going forward, the company will continue designing East Coast sustainable itineraries centered around Hualien, partnering with local tribes, communities, cultural organizations, and environmental groups. The aim is to offer in-depth experiences with minimal environmental impact—connecting visitors to local ecology and culture, and inviting the world to discover the deeper beauty of Hualien.

According to Joshua Yu , Director of Hualien’s Tourism Department, international tourism platforms show that over 80% of domestic travelers value sustainable tourism, and nearly half are willing to pay more for it. With a local agency earning GSTC certification, Hualien is no longer just about fun and food—it is now a trusted sustainable destination. Yu outlined Hualien’s tourism strategy through three dimensions: organic agriculture, organic living, and organic tourism. These align closely with ESG, SDGs, and GSTC principles.

The tourism department will continue to promote low-carbon and zero-carbon travel experiences, assisting local tourism and business sectors in securing ESG certifications and carbon-neutral travel credentials. The ultimate goal is to shape Hualien into a “City of Healing” under a grand wellness vision—protecting the planet, encouraging long stays, boosting weekday visits, and delivering high-value tourism, all while making organic tourism a reality.

For more Info:
Hualien Tourism Website: http://tour-hualien.hl.gov.tw/