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. Sixty lodging businesses have received certification so far. The program also received an Executive Yuan Gender Equality Innovation Award, the bureau said.

The Donggang festival is held once every three years and is recognized as an important national folk custom. It is one of Pingtung County’s largest religious events. The wooden King Boat measures almost 47 Taiwanese feet, or about 14 meters, and cost approximately NT$13.8 million, the county government said.

The site is expected to reopen in September if work proceeds smoothly. The renovation period is expected to take about 45 to 60 days.

Tourism Bureau Director Kao Min-lin (高閔琳) said that East Kaohsiung has a rich ecology, diverse cultures, and local craft traditions, and called on visitors to use the summer to explore the area at a slower pace.

The 2026 Pingtung Summer Carnival (屏東夏日狂歡祭) opened Friday night at Pingtung County Citizens Park (屏東縣民公園), launching nearly two months of children’s activities, play equipment, and themed performances.

For the long term, Lai said the city should evaluate a 24-hour offshore airport near the waters off the Nansing Project Area (南星計畫區). He said an offshore site could reduce the effect of nighttime takeoffs and landings on urban neighborhoods while supporting international cargo and long-haul routes.

Deputy Mayor Lin Chin-rong (林欽榮) previously said the site would include a rope climbing system, bouldering area, balance-bike and inline-skating practice areas, a parkour practice zone, and a pump track: a looping course with bumps and banked turns for balance bikes, scooters, and other small-wheeled activities.

Kaohsiung is reviewing plans to extend its MRT network farther east, with future routes aimed at improving connections to Jiuqutang Station (九曲堂站), Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum (佛光山佛陀紀念館), Dashu (大樹), and Cishan (旗山).

Liu said the Penghu International Fireworks Festival was once successful at attracting visitors during the slow season. However, after more than 20 years, the event has lost some of its novelty, and recent collaborations with popular IP brands have not been enough to offset wider changes in travel behavior.

The “Friendly Relay Program” will commence on July 1. YouBike members will automatically receive a NT$5 riding coupon when they borrow a bike from a full station, helping free up a dock, or return a bike to an empty station, helping make a bike available for the next rider.