Hankyu Kotsu Co., Ltd. of Japan conducted a site visit along the northeast coast and Yilan coastline, showcasing the charm of sustainable tourism.

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To promote sustainable tourism and deepen tourism cooperation between Taiwan and Japan, the Tourism Administration of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications invited Hankyu Kotsu Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese tourism operator, to conduct an in-depth inspection of the Northeast Coast and Yilan coast on July 8. This trip is not only a concrete practice of both sides to consolidate their strategies for sending tourists, but also a proactive move by Taiwan's tourism industry to respond to environmental changes and expand into the international market.

This case originated from Hankyu Kotsu Co., Ltd.'s successful organization of a 200-person delegation to the Penghu Fireworks Festival in June of this year. To further enhance the momentum of sending tourists, Director-General Chen Yu-hsiu of the Tourism Administration, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, personally visited Tokyo in mid-June for industry exchanges. This prompted Hankyu Kotsu Co., Ltd. to plan and send 36 core tour designers to Taiwan for inspection in July. Under the arrangement of the Tourism Administration's Tokyo Office, the inspection team was divided into five groups to visit various scenic spots throughout Taiwan, including the Northeast Coast, Alishan, Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan, and the East Rift Valley.

The delegation arrived in the Northeast Coast on July 8th for a visit and conducted B2B exchange activities with businesses in the Greater Northeast Coast tourism area. Through in-depth exchanges with many high-quality local businesses, including Fullon Hotel (Fulong), Bafankeng Tea House, Zhujiao Shuangxi, Jinyansha Art, Starry Sky x Yisu Village, Toucheng Farm and Winery, and Yilan Traditional Arts Park, the delegation gained an understanding of the characteristics of the Northeast Coast attractions, tourism and industrial resources.

During the exchange, both sides engaged in extensive discussions on tourism itineraries and products related to the Taiwan-Japan tourism industry, with a particular focus on the abundant cycling resources of the Northeast Coast. The Northeast Coast boasts classic cycling routes such as the Old Caoling Tunnel, perfectly combining stunning coastal scenery with a low-carbon tourism experience, making it a local highlight for promoting green and sustainable tourism. Souvenirs featuring Northeast Coast cycling culture elements (customized arm warmers, hats, and phone straps) were presented as gifts, symbolizing both sides' shared commitment to promoting green tourism and expressing the hope that localized cycling features will serve as a link to further promote substantive cooperation between the Taiwan-Japan tourism industry.

The delegation also visited Fulong Beach to experience the "Fulong International Sand Sculpture Art Festival," admiring 42 sand sculptures created by 15 artists and deeply appreciating the charm of art and marine landscapes. The itinerary also included a hot spring experience, starting with a visit to a rare "marine hot spring" (chloride-bicarbonate spring) at the Fullon Hotel (Fulong), followed by a trip to Jiaoxi to experience the world-renowned sodium bicarbonate spring. The warm spring waters washed away travel fatigue, and the delegation gained a deeper understanding of the unique local hot spring culture, adding a therapeutic and relaxing dimension to the visit.

Hankyu Kotsu Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the renowned Japanese conglomerate Hankyu Hanshin Toho Group, has been deeply involved in the tourism service market since its establishment in 1948, playing a vital role in promoting Japanese tourism to Taiwan. Yu Li-yu, Director of the Northeast Coast National Scenic Area Administration, stated that they will continue to develop more diverse themed tours with environmental sustainability concepts, hoping to attract more international tourists to experience the sustainable charm of Taiwan's interconnected mountains and seas.