TAIPEI, TAIWAN (May 20, 2026) — To showcase the unique essence of Taiwan’s sustainable tourism on the global stage, Skål International Taipei, in partnership with the Creative Tourism and Community Design Association in Taiwan and under the guidance of the Taiwan Tourism Administration, has officially announced the winners of the 2026 SKÅL International Sustainable Tourism Awards - Taiwan Selection.
The competition drew 23 outstanding entries from across the island. Following a rigorous two-stage evaluation by a panel of expert judges, nine trailblazing teams were chosen to represent Taiwan. Each team perfectly embodies the spirit of "The More Local, The More International," balancing deep-rooted community practice with a global vision for the future.
The top three laureates captured the judges' unanimous praise by transforming Taiwan’s distinct rural landscapes and cultural heritage into highly compelling, high-impact sustainable travel experiences. Their initiatives deeply align with SKÅL’s core metrics for natural conservation and socio-cultural continuity:
- 【Gold Award】coFishland Driven by the philosophy of "education through entertainment," coFishland transforms traditional fishponds into learning landscapes. By seamlessly merging the conservation of the endangered Black-faced Spoonbill with eco-friendly aquaculture, the team has elevated traditional fishing into an international bird-watching and marine education experience. It stands as a brilliant blueprint for environmental protection and industrial co-prosperity.
- 【Silver Award】Siang Khau Lu Cultural Kitchen Operating from a beautifully restored traditional brick courtyard house, this initiative champions a low-impact philosophy of "small-scale, high-depth, and slow living." They successfully translate Taiwan’s rich rice-cake heritage and earth-friendly farming into a profound, multi-sensory journey. While introducing international travelers to the roots of Taiwanese culture, they actively support local farmers, safeguarding biodiversity while creating a shared, joyful space for all.
- 【Bronze Award】Gao Shan Forest Tribal Ranch Nestled in the Coastal Mountain Range of Hualien, this project centers nature as the ultimate host. Rooted in the ancient co-existence wisdom of the Coastal Bunun tribe, they have pioneered a self-guided, "non-intrusive" forest immersion and mindfulness journey. By maintaining the utmost respect for tribal privacy and dignity, they have crafted a soul-repairing itinerary that serves as a model for community-led regenerative tourism and a potential avenue for "green prescriptions."
Working in Harmony: Champions of Community Co-Prosperity and Equitable Wealth Distribution
A truly sustainable journey is woven from a collective tenderness toward the land. The organizers extend their deepest gratitude to the following exceptional partners (listed in alphabetical order):
- Heping Island Geopark: Turning strict geological conservation into moving environmental education, they strike a perfect balance between tourism growth and habitat protection.
- Marshal Zen Garden: Breathing new life into a century-old historical estate in Beitou, they blend contemporary wellness dining with cultural heritage, creating an immersive journey of preservation and mindful nourishment.
- MUYU Culture: Deeply rooted in historical neighborhoods like Wanhua, they translate the lived stories of local residents and urban history into a "living museum" walking tour, fostering deep social engagement and cultural identity.
- Stunning Taiwan: Curating premium green itineraries that protect biodiversity while promoting the fair and equitable distribution of tourism profits to local communities, ensuring travelers find a true sense of belonging.
- Vakangan Hot Spring Park: Merging a 1,700-meter deep geothermal renewable energy project with indigenous culture and local economic partnerships, they have built a circular ecosystem that genuinely revitalizes the valley and champions clean energy.
- Youth Banana: Injecting musical vitality and a green circular economy into the banana-fringe town of Qishan, they honor traditional agricultural heritage while actively solving tomorrow's sustainability challenges, serving as an inspiring model for rural innovation.
The Next Horizon: Heading to Tokyo and the Global Finals
With the official announcement of the Taiwan delegation, the international voyage for Taiwan's sustainable tourism begins. This coming June, Skål International Taipei and the Creative Tourism and Community Design Association in Taiwan will head to Tokyo for a series of high-profile bilateral sustainable tourism matchmaking events. The Taiwan team will engage with global industry leaders at the travel tech forum Web in Travel Tokyo and exchange green solutions at the urban sustainability hub, Kanda SDGs Connection.
Most notably, the top three laureates will officially represent Taiwan to compete in the prestigious global Skål International Sustainable Tourism Awards. On this premier international decision-making stage, they will showcase Taiwan's green tourism energy—stretching from farm to culture, and from mountains to the sea. The organizers will continue to roll out deep-dive features on each winner alongside highlights from the upcoming Tokyo events, uniting public, private, and grassroots efforts to illuminate Taiwan's national brand in green travel.
