By Eryk Michael Smith/Staff. All images via KH City Tourism Bureau.
KAOHSIUNG — The Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau (高雄市政府觀光局) aims to increase the number of certified gender-friendly lodging operators from 60 to more than 100 this year.
The city launched its All-Gender Accommodation Certification Program in 2023 to help hotels, hostels, and bed-and-breakfast operators enhance their services and facilities for travelers with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations.
The certification program includes professional training, on-site guidance, subsidies for improvements, and follow-up inspections. Its standards cover staff training, gender-friendly forms and documents, restroom facilities, visible certification signs, and employee uniform choices.
Sixty lodging businesses have received certification so far. The program also received an Executive Yuan Gender Equality Innovation Award, the bureau said.
Tourism Bureau Director-General Kao Min-lin (高閔琳) stated that the city aims to enhance lodging services while attracting more international LGBTQ+ travelers and capitalizing on the growing market for inclusive tourism.
Bureau representatives recently joined Taiwan’s delegation at Tokyo Pride in Japan, working with the Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership Rights (台灣伴侶權益推動聯盟), Taiwan AIDS Foundation (台灣紅絲帶基金會), and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan (台北駐日經濟文化代表處).
The delegation distributed Japanese-language “Kaohsiung All Gender Accommodation” brochures and rainbow-themed souvenirs featuring the city’s Kaohsiung Bear mascot.
The bureau has also completed two certification briefings and training sessions attended by more than 50 lodging operators. The first session focused on the travel needs of LGBTQ+ families, gender mainstreaming, and the economic potential of inclusive tourism.
Speakers included Taiwan LGBT Family Rights Advocacy (台灣同志家庭權益促進會) Chairperson Chen Tzu-liang (陳子良), National Kaohsiung Normal University (國立高雄師範大學) Professor Yu Mei-hui (游美惠) and Kaohsiung LGBTQ+ Pride Community Association (高雄市同志遊行聯盟) Chairperson Hsieh Yun-hsi (謝昀希).
A second session examined the needs of transgender travelers and legal issues facing lodging operators. Beyond Gender (超越性別) Chairperson Wu Yi-ting (吳伊婷) and Yu-Honest Law Firm (宇皓法律事務所) managing partner Chen Po-yu (陳柏諭) led the session. Participants also visited UNS B&B (阡陌一舍) to examine inclusive interior design and guest reception procedures.
The Tourism Bureau also recently received certification under the Taiwan LGBTIQ+ Workplace Inclusion Index, which evaluates workplace policies, employee support, training, and external engagement.
A 2026 Global Views Monthly survey placed Kaohsiung first among Taiwan’s six special municipalities for tourism and leisure satisfaction for the third consecutive year, with a satisfaction rating of 83 percent.
