Building a Digital Nomad-Friendly City! Youth Bureau Calls on Accommodations, Co-Working Spaces, and Dining Establishments to Join the Friendly Certification and Connect Remote Work Ecosystems

As remote work becomes a global trend, Kaohsiung is accelerating efforts to become a digital nomad-friendly city! On the 14th, the Kaohsiung City Government Youth Bureau hosted the 'Digital Nomad Friendly Certification Briefing' at Pinway Pier-2 Warehouse No. 8, collaborating with the National Development Council's 'Nomad Taiwan Office' and the Kaohsiung City Government Tourism Bureau. The event invited accommodation providers, co-working spaces, and dining operators to learn about the digital nomad-friendly certification system and application process, calling on more local businesses to join in building a remote work environment that integrates work, life, and social interaction.

With the rapid global adoption of remote and hybrid work models, Youth Bureau Director Lin Kai-Hsuan emphasized that digital nomads now live and work across cities, making a city’s ability to provide quality workspaces, lifestyle amenities, and networking environments a key factor in attracting international talent. Kaohsiung, with its unique harbor-city character, rich lifestyle functions, and diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem, will continue to integrate central government policies with local resources to strengthen its digital nomad ecosystem.

Director Lin pointed out that one of Kaohsiung’s core strategies for promoting digital nomadism is systematically mapping friendly workspaces across the city, enabling international digital nomads, freelancers, independent contractors, and startup teams to quickly find suitable work bases. By connecting different sectors—accommodations, co-working spaces, and dining—through the friendly certification, businesses can expand their customer base while helping youth work, start businesses, and live in Kaohsiung, creating a win-win for both the city and its industries.

In addition to introducing the digital nomad policy and certification application process, the briefing also included practical industry exchanges. JOY, representative of the 'Nomad Taiwan Office,' shared insights on Taiwan’s digital nomad policy development and the friendly certification system. Liu Shu-Jung, Deputy Director of the 'Love to Travel Taiwan Youth Hostel Alliance,' and Arturs Vancans, founder of 'Second Space,' shared practical experiences in creating digital nomad-friendly environments from the perspectives of hostel operations and co-working space management.

The Youth Bureau emphasized that the digital nomad-friendly certification is not just about providing 'a place to work,' but more importantly, about connecting work and life within the city. For freelancers, independent contractors, and young entrepreneurs who need flexible work environments, the certification’s systematic mapping and information integration make it easier to find stable workspaces in Kaohsiung while also connecting with different industries and communities to expand networks and collaboration opportunities.

The Youth Bureau noted that Kaohsiung continues to collaborate with the central government’s 'Nomad Taiwan Office' to promote a digital nomad-friendly environment and will further encourage more accommodations, co-working spaces, and dining operators to join the certification program. The goal is to gradually connect a complete digital nomad lifestyle ecosystem—from workspaces and accommodations to dining and urban living functions.

The Youth Bureau stated that promoting digital nomadism is not only about attracting overseas talent for short-term work in Kaohsiung but also aims to connect local youth and industries through international talent exchange. By fostering networks of collaboration among workers from diverse backgrounds, the city hopes to enhance its international visibility and boost youth entrepreneurial momentum.

Moving forward, the Kaohsiung City Government Youth Bureau will continue integrating central and local resources to improve digital nomad-friendly venues and services, encouraging more businesses to join the certification program. The vision is to make Kaohsiung a globally recognized city where international talent can 'work, live, connect, and start businesses,' attracting more domestic and international youth to choose Kaohsiung as their new work and life base. For information on how to apply for the 'Digital Nomad Friendly Certification' and related details, visit the Youth Bureau’s 'Digital Nomad Zone' or the National Development Council’s 'Nomad Taiwan' website.