The Taitung County Government partnered with the Taiwan Digital Nomad Association, or TDNA, to host the Taiwan Digital Fest, TDF, from May 1 to 28. The event connected more than 60 venues and featured over 80 activities, covering themes such as regional revitalization, arts and humanities, cultural tourism, and digital technology. By combining international exchange with community gatherings, the event helped boost off-season tourism while positioning Taitung as a base for exchange and creation among digital nomads.
As part of the event series, “From Local to Global | Taitung on the International Stage” was held at Black Kid Cafe. Practitioners from the fields of cultural tourism, tourism innovation, and digital nomadism were invited to share their experiences and discuss how Taitung’s local characteristics can be transformed into a language for dialogue with the world, helping local culture and industries move onto the international stage.
The Department of International Development and Planning, Taitung County Government, stated that Taitung has a rich natural environment, diverse cultures, and strong innovative energy. In recent years, the county has continued to strengthen international connections through regional revitalization, cultural exchange, and digital nomad policies. Events such as Taiwan Digital Fest are a key part of that effort, bringing more international talent into contact with Taitung.
During the event, Chester Hsu, CEO of TC Time Walk, shared how walking tours can become an important medium for connecting local culture with international travelers. As both a pharmacist and an experienced backpacker, Hsu drew on his cross-disciplinary background to explain the value of in-depth travel, noting that walking is the most direct and profound way to understand a city. Through storytelling and local connections, walking tours deepen travelers’ understanding of a city while also supporting community revitalization and sustainable tourism.
Daniel Cheng, founder of RTM Taiwan, approached the topic from the perspective of tourism innovation, discussing the importance of experience design, community connection, and value creation. He noted that by integrating entrepreneurs, freelancers, and local resources, it is possible to build a tourism ecosystem with greater innovation and international competitiveness.
Cindy Yang, founder of Roots Coworking Space, shared her journey from being a digital nomad to establishing a co-creation space in Chishang. Through co-living and co-creation programs such as Nomad Co-Retreat, she has helped foster exchanges between international travelers and local communities, turning short stays into deeper connections and demonstrating Taitung’s potential for digital nomad development.
The Department of International Development and Planning stated that “From Local to Global” reflects Taitung’s vision of connecting with the world through local characteristics. Moving forward, the county government will continue to promote international exchange and cooperation, attract more international talent to experience Taiwan through Taitung, and allow Taitung’s stories to keep reaching the world.
