Maroc - TAIWANTODAY.TW - Taiwan Review - 01/Feb 00:00

Warm Welcome

The Tourism Administration recognizes Taiwan Host-marked vacation properties as positive elements of local economy and experience. In rural districts such as Xinshe in Taichung City, travelers can wake to quiet neighborhoods, locally sourced breakfasts and hosts who treat hospitality as part of daily life. These settings capture the appeal of vacation properties that bear the Taiwan Host mark, which offer an alternative to conventional hotels. In 2023 there were around 1,587 such properties operating, out of over 10,717 registered bed-and-breakfasts. As the sector continues to expand, industry groups and government agencies have worked to establish standards that support quality, safety and sustainable growth. Shaped by personal vision and regional identity, Taiwan Host locations are a distinctive part of Taiwan’s tourism landscape. Many utilize farming or historical properties that emphasize a connection to local industry or history. For example, the living room of the Xinshe homestay owned by Lai Shuw-wei (賴淑薇), chair of the Taiwan Rural Accommodation Association (TRAA), features a photo wall displaying images taken in the 1960s by her parents-in-law, forming an extensive archive introducing guests to local stories. The photographs are rotated regularly, allowing the narrative to evolve over time, while the location, surrounded by mushroom farms, vineyards and apple orchards, further embeds the guest experience within the surrounding agricultural landscape. “As interest in this type of accommodation grew, so did the need for clear standards and sustainable practices,” Lai said. Behind the welcome lies a framework of guidelines, industry coordination and individual commitment that defines the sector and strengthens the role of homestays in the domestic tourism landscape. Walls of photographs taken by homestay owner Lai Shuw-wei’s grandparents give the space a personal touch. (Photo by Chin Hung-hao)Lai sits beside her oil paintings in a bright, welcoming space where her children study and guests often read. (Photo by Chin Hung-hao)Trusted Stays To support quality and consistency, the Tourism Administration (TA) launched the Taiwan Host mark in 2011, combining training such as overview of homestay regulations and sustainability policies; key strategies for enhancing accommodation service quality and customer complaint management; inspections; and ongoing review to bring structure to an industry built on personal exchange. “A friendly host is just one part of a good experience,” Lai said. “Hospitality must also be supported by clearly defined standards.” Industry participation begins with legal compliance. Properties must meet minimum scores across categories such as space, environment, service and sustainability, as well as fully comply with essential requirements including fire safety and insurance coverage. Guest rooms, bathrooms and emergency preparedness protocols are all verified in on-site inspections.The Taiwan Host certification mark is an important quality indicator for registered homestays in Taiwan. (Photo by Chin Hung-hao)Only formally registered properties are eligible. First-time applicants must complete the required training before undergoing evaluation, while certified operators must renew their credentials every three years. Further training centers on online marketing, experience-driven promotion, brand identity and distinctive experience design, reinforcing the idea that hosting is a professional skill that evolves over time. The application process is thorough. Operators submit documentation detailing facilities, services and responsibilities such as hygiene and sanitation standards, along with proof of registration with the local government and completed training by the TA. These materials are reviewed by both the TA and local governments before inspectors are sent out. Two evaluators assess each property using Taiwan Host annual selection criteria that consists of the building and accommodation environment; reservation and guest reception services; information, food and beverage services; sustainability; as well as safety and security, ensuring that written commitments align with guest experience. Facilities remain subject to random inspection, and credentials lapse if renewal training is not completed on time. Violations or guest complaints can result in removal from the official list. Use of the Taiwan Host mark is strictly regulated and permitted only during the valid certification periods. As a result, the designation has become a trusted reference for travelers, signaling professional accountability rather than a specific style or price point.The Green Mark hotel certificate, awarded by the Ministry of Environment, is granted to homestays offering sustainable services. (Photo by Chin Hung-hao)Living Heritage The TRAA maintains industry standards in the face of regulations, workforce realities and changing travel habits. Lai described themed accommodation as a long-term response to visitors increasingly looking to experience Taiwan through the lens of community, people and history. An example comes from Pingtung County, where Kuo You-chieh (郭宥婕), a TRAA member and head of the Pingtung Tourism Revitalization Association, owns three former military dependents’ village houses that she has carefully refurbished into comfortable accommodation. The properties are in Victory New Village, Pingtung’s largest and most complete cluster of preserved Japanese-era (1895-1945) military officer residences. Kuo preserved the original layouts and character, allowing guests to experience what everyday life in the village felt like. Kuo invested more than NT$2.5 million (US$ 79,059) in renovations that took nearly a year to complete. “Many elements of the aging structures needed careful upgrading to meet modern safety standards,” she said. The result is an immersive stay replete with nostalgia. The homestays attract elderly guests who grew up in similar villages and want to reconnect with childhood memories as well as tourists. The refurbished Japanese-era (1895-1945) buildings of Victory New Village retain their original floor plans. (Photos by Chin Hung-hao)In Tainan City’s Gueidan Village, Lai Chin-rui (賴金瑞) offers a timber-built retreat centered on hot springs drawn from the Gueidan River. The scent of camphor and cedar is an intrinsic part of the experience and locally sourced furnishings and a tranquil rural setting invite guests to slow down and settle into the surrounding environment. In addition to offering hospitality, the facility collaborates with the Institute of Hot Spring Industry at Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science to study water quality, facility planning, recreational management and wellness applications. Integrating research into daily operations has helped attract repeat domestic guests and international travelers alike. Homestay owner Lai Chin-rui operates outdoor hot spring facilities featuring wooden decking and natural rock pools. (Courtesy of Gueidan recreational farm)Guests can adjust the temperature of the integrated hot spring baths. (Courtesy of Gueidan recreational farm)Tailored Experiences “Taiwan Host properties differ from hotels because they’re gateways to local life,” the TRAA’s Lai explained. While some hosts may share meals or stories with guests, visitors can also opt for independent activities. Properties range from self-check-in units popular with backpackers to whole-of-property rentals designed for families or groups. This flexibility has supported Taiwan’s growing international engagement. Through overseas exchanges and study visits, including the recent tourism industry event “Always Welcome, Always Taiwan–Island Vision: Taiwan-Malaysia Tourism Showcase” from September 25 to 30, 2025, in Malaysia, the TRAA has introduced Taiwanese accommodation to more than 40 international policymakers, travel agencies and accommodation operators. Phoebe Yeh (葉非比), former ambassador to Malaysia, also attended the event. By integrating business matchmaking, curated exhibitions and on-site visits by industry players from both sides, a new chapter in Taiwan-Malaysia tourism cooperation opened. Event discussions focused on developing in-depth travel products, connecting stays with local culture and sharing Taiwan’s experience in small-scale hospitality. Phoebe Yeh, front table, fifth left, then Taiwan’s ambassador to Malaysia, attends the Taiwan-Malaysia Tourism Showcase held in Kuala Lumpur Sept. 26, 2025. (Courtesy of TRAA)Visits to historic properties renovated as tourist accommodation, traditional cultural transformation projects and agricultural-ecological experience programs gave participants a deeper appreciation for local revitalization and community-driven economic development. Taiwanese operators attending the event gained insight into multicultural reception, Muslim-friendly environments and regional tourism development. Lai said the industry must continue to think globally while remaining firmly based in local identity. “By engaging with the world, Taiwanese homestays continue to grow in an increasingly interconnected travel market,” she said. Write to Krakias Kai at kwhuang@mofa.gov.tw