Hualien GSTC Sustainable & Muslim-Friendly Travel Map
What is GSTC certification?
When we talk about "sustainable tourism," we are not telling people not to travel, but rather hoping that every trip can reduce the damage to the environment, respect local culture, and benefit the community as well.
The GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) is one of the most important international organizations for setting sustainable tourism standards. It is responsible for establishing a set of globally applicable sustainable tourism guidelines, which serve as a common language and checklist for industries such as destinations, hotels, and travel agencies.
GSTC's standards are divided into four pillars.
Sustainable Management
Does it have a clear sustainability policy, goals, and action plan? Is it regularly reviewed and improved, rather than just having a slogan?
Social and economic benefits
Does tourism revenue truly return to the local community? For example, by prioritizing the employment of local staff, collaborating with small farmers and shops, and respecting employee rights, so that tourism doesn't become a business for only a small group of people.
Protection of cultural heritage
Does tourism help preserve and pass on local history, traditions, and ways of life, rather than reducing culture to a performance or a photo backdrop?
Environmental protection
Energy conservation and carbon reduction, water conservation, reduction of waste and disposable products, and protection of wildlife and natural landscapes will allow tourist destinations to continue to "stay beautiful".
For travelers:
Choosing "a hotel or destination that has passed the GSTC sustainability standard verification" means that the operator is not just implementing sporadic environmental protection measures, but has systematically incorporated sustainability principles into its overall operation and management, and accepts rigorous review and continuous improvement by an independent third party in accordance with international standards.
Every purchase represents a traveler's choice to support a more responsible tourism model that is more environmentally, socially, and locally.
Muslim-friendly destination
We assist local accommodation operators in Hualien in implementing Halal standards and management processes, and guide hotels and restaurants to obtain Muslim certification. From food preparation and kitchen layout to service staff training, we are gradually creating a trustworthy Muslim-friendly accommodation and dining environment. On the other hand, we collaborate with the public sector and local communities to inventory and renovate facilities such as visitor centers, scenic corridors, and public restrooms, adding prayer spaces, ablution facilities, and multilingual signage to make the entire scenic area more in line with the actual needs of Muslim tourists, becoming a Muslim-friendly scenic area that combines respect for faith with a pleasant travel experience.
We hope to create a Muslim-friendly destination that balances religious respect, food safety, and the travel experience, so that every traveler who comes to Hualien can be treated with kindness.
What is Muslim certification?
Muslim certification refers to a professional assessment and labeling system for food, accommodation, and tourism environments, based on Islamic law (Shariah) and the actual needs of Muslim travelers.
Through the review and certification of third-party organizations, Muslim travelers can clearly identify whether hotels, restaurants and attractions are "safe and meet their religious requirements" when making choices.
Generally speaking, Muslim-related certifications can be divided into several aspects, such as:
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Halal certification for food and products: such as meat processing, seasonings, food factories, etc.
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Muslim-friendly / Halal Tourism Certification: Focuses on the food and hospitality services of hotels, restaurants, and tourism products.
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Muslim-friendly Environment/Facility Certification: Emphasizes whether public spaces, attractions, and facilities are friendly to Muslim travelers.
Key points of this project:
Muslim-friendly tourism
Muslim-friendly environment
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The key to Muslim restaurant certification is ensuring that guests can "eat with peace of mind and stay with peace of mind".
The evaluation typically includes food and accommodation services in hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, and tourism products to determine whether they meet the dietary and religious needs of Muslim travelers.
The Muslim-friendly environment certification focuses on whether the "overall tourism environment" is friendly to Muslim tourists.
The evaluation typically includes public facilities such as visitor centers, scenic areas, public restrooms, and transportation and circulation planning, as well as whether the entire scenic area can take into account the situations that Muslim tourists will actually encounter during their trip.
Halal-friendly tourism operators
Through this project, we have compiled a list of halal-certified restaurants, highlighting their commitment to food safety, service quality, and local character. These businesses represent a key role for Hualien in promoting a Muslim-friendly environment and are trusted partners for travelers planning halal and Muslim-friendly tourism itineraries.
Muslim-friendly environment
Qixingtan Scenic Area
In Qixingtan, Hualien, we see it not only as a scenic coastal area but also as a window for Taiwan to welcome Muslim tourists. Through collaboration with the Hualien County Government and a professional consulting team, we planned dedicated prayer rooms and ablution-friendly facilities in the boat-shaped restrooms and visitor center. From the layout design, spatial zoning, signage, to the user experience, everything was comprehensively reviewed and optimized in accordance with the spirit of international Muslim hospitality accreditation. This is not just about adding a room or a piece of flooring; it's about formally incorporating the daily needs of Muslim tourists—such as prayer spaces, ablution facilities, privacy, and cleanliness standards—into the basic amenities of public buildings. Qixingtan thus became one of the first coastal demonstration sites in Hualien to complete Muslim-friendly certification, symbolizing the joint declaration by the local government and local industries: Hualien welcomes Muslim tourists and is capable of providing a safe, appropriate and internationally-standard friendly environment with professionalism and respect.
About our mission
We promise
From mountains to sea, Liting Travel is dedicated to creating a sustainable Muslim-friendly travel map, offering you unique travel experiences. Our platform showcases verified accommodations, sustainability practices, and facility photos, providing Muslim/halal-friendly destinations, booking links, and contact information. We are committed to promoting "Muslim-friendly/green tourism" services and offer you exclusive discount codes and special offers during specific periods.
Project goals
The Hualien County Government commissioned Liting Travel Agency to conduct the 2025 Hualien County Green Destination Tourism Accommodation and Muslim-Friendly Facilities Certification Program, dedicated to promoting "Sustainable Tourism × Muslim-Friendly × Local Harmony". This program focuses on three core objectives: first, to connect mountain and sea scenic spots with local industries, creating Hualien as a sustainable destination that combines natural environmental protection and community development; second, to promote Muslim-friendly environments and services, from halal food and prayer spaces to the design of routes and signage, ensuring Muslim travelers can travel with peace of mind in Hualien; and third, to establish a transparent and user-friendly information platform that integrates transportation, accommodation, itineraries, and friendly facilities, allowing travelers to inquire, book, and plan their trips through a single portal.
Through collaborations with local accommodations, travel agencies, community organizations, and businesses, we are not just designing a travel route, but creating a sustainable tourism ecosystem that can operate in the long term. Here, travelers will see not only scenery, but also how Hualien is moving towards sustainability step by step while respecting culture, promoting diversity and inclusion, and protecting the environment.
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