-- On October 19, 2026, The 2026 HCCG × TTI Hsinchu City Tourism Development Forum opened today at the Fleur Lis Hotel in Hsinchu City. Under the theme "Wind of Change: Hsinchu Connecting with the World," the forum brought together domestic and international experts in tourism, international business, and city branding to explore smart tourism, sustainable development, and international market development.
Co-organized by the Hsinchu City Government and the Taiwan Tourism Institute (TTI), the event welcomed Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an and TTI President Jeffrey S.P. Yang Ph.D. Both highlighted the importance of building on Hsinchu’s strong technology sector and integrating local tourism resources to move the city from a “technology hub” toward an “international tourism hub,” opening up new opportunities for tourism development.
Strong Tourism Growth Drives New Opportunities
Mayor Kao emphasized that Hsinchu is not only a leading center of Taiwan's technology industry but also a city rich in historical and cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and distinctive cuisine, giving it strong potential for international tourism development.
The city has significantly increased tourism investment, with its tourism budget rising from more than approximately NT$26 million in 2023 to more than NT$200 million planned for 2027.
In 2025, Hsinchu recorded over 18.47 million tourist visits, representing year-on-year growth of approximately 15%. Hsinchu Park attracted 3.86 million visits, while Hsinchu Fishing Port welcomed 2.25 million. The city's hotel room occupancy rate reached 67.03 %, ranking second nationwide and demonstrating strong tourism momentum.
Mayor Kao explained that the next phase of tourism development will focus on extending visitor stays, increasing visitor spending, and encouraging repeat visits rather than simply pursuing higher visitor numbers.
The city aims to connect tourism more closely with local businesses and cultural experiences, ensuring that tourism growth benefits local industries.
Integrating AI and Smart Tourism Services
As global tourism shifts toward in-depth experiences, sustainability, and digital transformation, Hsinchu is leveraging its strong technology industry to enhance tourism services.
TTI President Jeffrey S.P. Yang Ph.D emphasized that improving destination competitiveness requires integrated tourism services, deeper cross-industry collaboration, and professional talent development.
Mayor Kao highlighted the city's ongoing efforts to introduce AI-powered tourism solutions by integrating information on dining, accommodation, attractions, shopping, and transportation.
The goal is to provide multilingual, real-time, and personalized travel information, making it easier for international visitors to explore Hsinchu independently.
These developments also aim to encourage business travelers visiting Hsinchu Science Park to become in-depth leisure tourists, creating more local spending opportunities.
Through programs including the Hsinchu Wind PASS, sightseeing buses, and tourism incentives, the city is connecting destinations such as Green Grass Lake, the Old Town District, Hsinchu Fishing Port, and the 17-Kilometer Coastline. These initiatives will strengthen tourism accessibility while generating additional opportunities for local businesses.
Expanding International Tourism Partnerships
International promotion remains a central component of Hsinchu's tourism strategy.
Under its tourism brand "Hsinchu Way," the city has expanded its overseas presence through participation in Singapore's NATAS Travel Fair and Tourism EXPO Japan in Tokyo.
Hsinchu also organized its first overseas business-to-business tourism promotion event in Singapore, successfully connecting with 52 local tourism businesses and gradually building an international cooperation network.
The city's objective is to transform Hsinchu's attractions into tourism products that international travel agencies can easily introduce, recommend, and sell.
The forum welcomed distinguished international representatives, including Bas Pulles, the Representative of the Netherlands Office Taipei; Freddie Höglund, Chief Executive Officer of the European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan; and Michael Wu, Chair of its Travel and Tourism Committee.
Through discussions on city branding, sustainable tourism, and smart tourism innovation, international speakers shared valuable insights on how Hsinchu can connect its tourism sector with the international market.
From a Technology Hub to a City Worth Exploring
Mayor Kao emphasized that Hsinchu aims to become more than just a technology city. The city aspires to become a destination combining culture, scenery, distinctive cuisine, and the warmth of everyday life.
Describing Hsinchu as "a city that feels just right," Mayor Kao expressed her commitment to working with the Taiwan Tourism Institute (TTI) and industry partners to strengthen tourism branding, enhance service quality, and develop attractive travel experiences.
The city aims to turn Hsinchu's distinctive features into tourism products that international markets can understand, recommend, and sell, encouraging more domestic and international visitors to move beyond simply "passing through Hsinchu" and instead "step into Hsinchu."
From a global technology hub to an emerging international tourism hub, Hsinchu is opening a new chapter in connecting with the world.
Contact Info:
Name: Hsinchu City Government Team
Email: Send Email
Organization: Hsinchu City Government
Website: https://www.hccg.gov.tw/hccg/index
Release ID: 89207498
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