Hualien County Gov Invites “Travel North Taiwan” Creators to Share Global Insights on Marketing the County’s Hidden Gems

(中央社訊息服務20260522 10:03:05)

The Hualien County Government hosted its annual International Exchange Lecture Series on Sunday, May 17, 2026, featuring Lena and Patrick, the creators behind the travel YouTube channel “Travel North Taiwan,” which boasts over 600,000 subscribers. Speaking on the topic “How to Turn Hidden Gems into Must-Visit Experiences,” the duo shared global immersive travel trends and marketing strategies from destinations like Iceland, Spain, Egypt, and Indonesia, helping local tourism operators rediscover Hualien’s unique appeal through an international lens. The event drew over 100 enthusiastic attendees, including expatriates and international visitors from various countries, sparking lively discussions.

Bringing Hualien to the World, and the World to Hualien

This initiative aligns with the county’s ongoing efforts to expand bilingual services and international city marketing, fulfilling its policy vision of “bringing Hualien to the world, and the world to Hualien.” Lee Yu-Jen, Director-General of the Hualien Research and Administration Department, noted that since the establishment of the International Affairs and Press Center in 2022, the county has actively built a robust support system for foreign nationals living, traveling, and engaging in exchanges in Hualien. This August, Hualien will take center stage as it hosts two major international sporting events: the 2026 International Children’s Games (ICG) and the 15th IDBF Club Crew World Championships (CCWC). Together, these events are expected to draw over 8,000 international visitors, making global marketing efforts more timely than ever. Lee emphasized that Lena and Patrick were the ideal choices for the lecture. Through their extensive exploration of Taiwan from a cross-cultural perspective, they have mastered the art of transforming local stories into engaging content that resonates with global travelers. The county government hopes this exchange will inspire local operators to view Hualien’s breathtaking mountains, coastlines, and cultural heritage through a fresh cultural lens, working together to share Hualien’s stories globally.

Global Case Studies Highlight Hualien’s Potential

During the lecture, Lena and Patrick emphasized that the core of in-depth travel lies in experiencing “the local way of life.” Everyday landscapes and cultural traditions that residents might take for granted are often the exact experiences international tourists crave most. They cited Iceland’s Blue Lagoon as a prime example. Originally an artificial lake formed by wastewater discharge from a geothermal power plant, its dreamlike milky-blue waters—rich in minerals and silica—transformed what could have been dismissed as an ordinary industrial site into a world-famous destination.

The speakers also highlighted Spain’s Camino de Santiago and Indonesia’s Mentawai Islands to demonstrate how Hualien’s Indigenous and Hakka cultures, alongside its stunning topography, hold similar potential. They concluded that turning perceived disadvantages into strengths and redefining local value will be pivotal for the next phase of Hualien’s tourism marketing.

Local Voices and International Dialogue

The event concluded with an energetic exchange of ideas, where international attendees shared their firsthand observations. A Malaysian exchange student remarked on how deeply impressed she was by Hualien’s Yun Shan Shui wetlands, adding that its international appeal would skyrocket with stronger experiential marketing. A participant from India suggested optimizing the presentation of transportation information to make independent itinerary planning more seamless for foreign tourists. Local hospitality and tourism operators also participated actively, expressing their commitment to collaborating on inviting more international travelers to experience Hualien’s natural splendor and cultural charm.