Digital Transformation of Smart Scenic Areas
Transforming Smart Scenic Areas: A New Model for Tourism Data Governance and Service
In step with global trends and industry upgrading in Taiwan, the Tourism Administration advanced a "Smart Scenic Area Transformation" strategy to realize the sustainability, innovation, and smart governance goals set out in the Taiwan Tourism 2030 White Paper. In May 2024, a dedicated Project Management Office (PMO) was established to drive site-wide digital transformation centered on data integration, technology adoption, and service innovation—across smart management, smart services, and smart marketing—propelling data governance and service upgrades at scenic areas nationwide.
1. Smart Management:
Strengthen data integration and early-warning systems to improve governance: For example, high-resolution live cameras with AI vision at Baishawan Beach (North Coast) help identify visitor locations and support safety alerts; real-time AI people-flow monitoring on the Lovers Lake Suspension Bridge informs digital signage to manage capacity and visitor safety.
2. Smart Services:
Roll out PWA-based mobile travel services and AI-guided tours to deliver real-time information and travel suggestions: The East Coast PWA provides personalized, real-time audio guides and route recommendations. At the Checheng Visitor Center in the Sun Moon Lake area, a "train-view" immersive carriage experience enhances engagement and immersion.
3. Smart Marketing:
Develop a media bank to support place-based revitalization and tourism-circle promotion. The Alishan National Scenic Area Administration (NSA) launched the Easy Go tourism e-commerce platform for one-stop purchases of local goods and passes. In Taiwan's outlying island areas, the "Wave Penghu" brand integrates sustainable travel concepts with digital pre-purchase services to strengthen tourism-circle integration and international reach.
Experiencing Taiwan's Beauty through Virtual Cycling
Since debuting at Sun Moon Lake in 2024, L'Étape by Tour de France offered online experiences and competitions of its certified routes via a world-renowned virtual cycling platform. The integrated on-site/online campaign deepened rider immersion and heightened international visibility and buzz for Taiwan's cycling routes, expanding Taiwan's influence in global cycling tourism. By the end of 2024, high-quality footage had been completed for 16 distinctive routes, with 10 published for users worldwide to virtually experience Taiwan's diverse landscapes. Through precise audience targeting and storytelling, the initiative is drawing the international cycling community's attention and amplifying Taiwan's brand presence in the global virtual-cycling market.
Friendlier and Faster: Expanding AI Real-time Translation in 2024
Following the initial deployment at Taipei Songshan Airport and Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in 2023, AI translation services were expanded to Kaohsiung International Airport in 2024. To better serve diverse visitors, Indonesian and Vietnamese were added to the original four languages served, enhancing friendly and accessible travel consultation for international arrivals.
Enriching the Tourism Big Data Platform
Continued optimization and enhancement of analytics: In 2024, the platform added data on inbound/outbound travelers for peer Asian markets and Korean market demand. In total, 28 internal/external data categories were integrated, covering 236 datasets and about 130 million records, supporting 280 business analytics services.
Centering on accommodation operations big data, a computation module for accommodation industry indicators was developed and integrated with existing tourism indicator systems—forming a foundation for monitoring tourism and lodging market conditions, decision support, and industry analysis.
Completion of specifications for EV charging station data: Data for charging stations in 10 National Scenic Areas and real-time parking availability for 12 National Scenic Areas are being integrated and uploaded to the MOTC Public Transport Data eXchange (TDX) platform, and presented on the National Scenic Area website's Smart Tourism Information Station—supporting visitor route planning and providing high-quality parking information.
Sharing Data, Creating Value: The "Tourism Cloud" Platform
The Tourism Cloud platform integrates a data bank and media bank with open APIs and rich content assets. The platform engages public agencies, enterprises, and creators to foster innovation in smart applications and digital content production, enhancing overall visitor experience value.
Keeping Pace with AI: Smart Translation Counters
Keeping Pace with AI: Smart Translation Counters To strengthen foreign-language reception and better serve international visitors, AI Smart Translation services were installed at the Songshan Airport Visitor Service Center and at the Yeliu Visitor Center in the North Coast and Guanyinshan NSA. Powered by an advanced real-time translation engine and a two-sided transparent display over 5G, the service delivers seamless, face-to-face voice translation in English, Japanese, and Korean.
Advancing Contactless Interaction for Discovery-led Tourism
The North Coast and Guanyinshan National Scenic Area introduced contactless interaction with glasses-free 3D and immersive VR, combined with gesture-tracking interfaces. The "3D Explorer" platform allows visitors to digitally discover the world-class landforms of Heping Island Geopark in 360 degrees, including the sunrise views at Alabao Bay, acclaimed as one of the world's most beautiful sunrise spots.
