Taiwan aims to move towards sustainable hospitality
Taiwan Tourism Administration under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has introduced new guidelines for quality of accommodation services with the objective of making its hospitality industry more sustainable.
In a press statement, Global Sustainable Tourism Council, a global organisation to promote sustainable tourism, says that the administration’s new guidelines are meant to encourage accommodation providers, including tourist hotels, regular hotels, and bed and breakfast providers, to enhance service quality, implement accessible and inclusive facilities, adopt sustainable environmental management systems, and offer smart service spaces.
It says that as part of the new rules, the accommodation providers are being encouraged to obtain sustainability certifications as a key component of the new subsidy programme launched by the Taiwanese government focusses on sustainability certifications.
It says that eligible hotels can apply for reimbursement of up to 80 pc of certification fees for obtaining domestic or international certifications in sustainability, energy efficiency, carbon reduction, or green practices. The subsidy is capped at NTD 100,000 per applicant and is offered as a one-time benefit, providing valuable financial support to encourage sustainable practices in Taiwan’s accommodation sector.
GSTC says that businesses certified by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body, meeting all the GSTC criteria, or a GSTC-Recognised Standard, have the highest level of assurance and credibility available.
With an accredited certification, customers and buyers are assured that the business was certified in a credibly verified procedure in a transparent, impartial, and competent manner.
By achieving GSTC certification, hotels and other accommodations in Taiwan can demonstrate their commitment to sustainable practices and benefit from the incentives offered by the government, it adds.
The rules mandate that accommodation providers must hold a valid business licence or registration to be eligible for subsidies under these guidelines. It says that as it is an ongoing scheme, applications must be submitted to the Taiwan Tourism Administration by December 15 of the same year the certification is obtained, along with completed reimbursement documents sent by mail.
For certifications obtained between December 16 and December 31 of the same year, applicants may still request subsidies by including detailed progress reports with timelines and supporting documentation.