The Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area yesterday won a prize for sustainable tourism at a Berlin travel trade show.
ITB Berlin, the world’s largest tourism trade fair, awarded the scenic area a third-place Green Destinations Story Awards in business and marketing.
Its prize is to remain on display in Berlin for one year, increasing international attention on the destination.
Photo courtesy of the Tourism Administration
This is the third year in a row that Sun Moon Lake has been recognized for its innovative and sustainable actions.
In 2022, a “goodbye to single-use plastics” campaign reduced carbon emissions by 206.05kg, with 29 participating businesses.
In 2023, the area was recognized for supporting the local Bunun indigenous tribe’s efforts to start a sustainable business in selling traditional spices and perfumes to improve the local economy.
Last year, the park saw efforts to build local bipartisan consensus through multi-party cooperation.
The Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Management Office said it has increased the number of tourists to the park while taking major steps to reduce waste, promote low-carbon tourism and increase the participation of local businesses and stakeholders in formulating their own plans for how to ensure Sun Moon Lake remains a sustainable destination.
The management office has designed low-carbon tourist itineraries, promoted low-carbon transportation methods such as electric bikes and applied for carbon offsets from the Gold Standard program.
Yilan County’s National Center for Traditional Arts also won a third-place prize this year from the Green Destinations Story Awards in the culture and tradition category, Tourism Administration Director-General Chou Yung-hui (周永暉) said.
The center won for its unique blend of food, tourism and culture, making it a worthwhile travel destination, Chou added.
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