【Low-Carbon Accommodation】The Touching Practice of Sustainable Travel: Gaeavilla Resort - Hualien's Most Beautiful Eco-Friendly Stay

From net-zero public toilets to low-carbon accommodations—a sustainability revolution: A recommended case by the One-point-five Degree Science-Based Targets initiative Standards Association by Supply-chain council for SBTi (SSBTI.ORG) Vietnamese click here / Chinese click here

A journey that changes not only your body and mind but also the future of this land

When climate change is no longer just a headline but a tangible reality in daily life, the sustainability responsibilities of businesses and governments transform from slogans into actions. In the heart of Eastern Taiwan—Hualien—lies a 15,000-ping (approximately 49,600 square meters) sanctuary free of pesticides and smoke, offering only nature, healing, and hope.

This is Gaeavilla Resort.

When people choose to come here, it's not just a vacation, but also an act of positive feedback—a journey of "supporting local production and consumption through spending."

1. From the Government Perspective: A Model for Policy Implementation, Turning Official Inspections into "Sustainable Actions"

"This is not an ordinary inspection, but an immersive experience of 'Net-Zero Green Living.'" This was the sentiment expressed by officials from the Ministry of Environment after their visit.

Gaeavilla Resort—a rare resort in the world themed around organic herbs, founded on the principles of "organic, sustainable, green, and eco-friendly." It connects with local small-scale farmers to create green cuisine and invites guests to explore the historical culture of the "Gancheng Village" where it is located, implementing a sustainable development path for green tourism. Every initiative at Gaeavilla Resort aligns with the "cradle-to-grave" carbon reduction logic in the SBTi pathway.

Why recommend it?

• The numbers speak for themselves: According to an audit by National Dong Hwa University, the hotel's carbon emissions per room per day are only 25.26 kg CO₂e, significantly lower than the industry average (52.24 kg CO₂e).

• A benchmark in policy: Awarded the "Silver-Level Eco-Hotel Certification" by the Environmental Protection Administration and GTS Green Tourism Certification, making it a preferred choice for sustainable travel bookings by public sectors.

• Replicable modular design: The hotel's disclosed EUI (Energy Use Intensity) is only 56.74 (kWh/square meter), 36% lower than industry peers, providing empirical reference for public sector energy-saving renovations.

During the visit to the herb maze garden by the environmental department delegation, members touched the resting pavilion made from reclaimed wood with their own hands. When the guide explained, "The carbon offset of this roof is equivalent to planting 20 trees," a section chief from the delegation exclaimed, "So the numbers in policy reports can actually be seen and touched here."

2. From the Corporate Group Perspective: A "Win-Win Proposal" for CSR and Employee Travel

"We are not looking for 'luxury,' but for accommodations that 'do justice to the next generation,'" emphasized a sustainability officer at a tech company when choosing a location for their employee trip.

Gaeavilla redefines corporate ESG travel with "Seven Senses Healing":

• Carbon Reduction as Reward: Companies opting for the 'Green Travel Package' can reduce carbon emissions by 34-69 kg per room per night (equivalent to the emissions from an air conditioner running continuously for 300 hours). Employees receive personalized carbon footprint reports, sparking sustainability discussions within the company.

• Positive Cycle for Local Economy: 100% of the restaurant ingredients are sourced from organic small-scale farmers in Hualien, such as 'GAEA Ge Ya Chicken' (with a carbon footprint of only 4.635 kg CO₂e/kg, one of the lowest globally). Every bite employees take at the table supports local farmers.

• Healing Equals Productivity: International research confirms that herbal phytoncides and high negative ion environments can increase NK cell activity by 50%. Companies can book 'Morning Herbal Yoga' sessions to stimulate team brainstorming in a healing atmosphere.

A finance industry executive shared: 'While soaking in the private garden bathtub at night, I noticed rosemary planted beside the bath. The employee group chat was instantly flooded with comments like 'This is more effective than energy drinks during overtime.''

3. From an International Traveler's Perspective: Taiwan's 'Sustainable Dark Power'

"I thought Taiwan only had night markets and bubble tea, until I stayed at this 'breathing hotel'. " — Notes from Polly, a German sustainable travel writer."

For foreign travelers, Gaeavilla is a window to Taiwan's 'Net Zero Soft Power':

• Rare certification in the world: This hotel is one of the few hotels in Taiwan that has obtained CU-GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) certification, and is the only GTS two-star winner in the Hualien and Taitung regions.

• A microcosm of biodiversity: A 15,000-ping pesticide-free herb garden has revived species like the rhinoceros beetle and the golden birdwing butterfly. Guests can book the "Herb Explorer" tour to handpick organic herbs and craft bath salts.

• A deep cultural connection: Instead of wine for toasts, guests enjoy the hotel's homemade "Hibiscus Kombucha" brewed from organic herbs. The essential oils used in spa treatments come from lavender harvested daily in the garden.

A Japanese couple who learned to cook with makauy (mountain pepper) in the "Culinary Workshop" exclaimed, "This flavor reminds us of Okinawan island pepper, but gentler—Taiwan's sustainability even considers the ethics of local spices."

Gaeavilla proves that "net zero" is not just a cold number, but a "warm lifestyle choice." From governments and businesses to individuals, every role can find their own sustainable dialogue here—true innovation begins with designs that people are willing to embrace.

Gaeavilla can serve as a pilot base for sustainable tourism policies and a model for promoting low-carbon travel, integrating local cultural education with carbon neutrality goals through demonstration projects, workshops, and policy observation activities.

This is the ideal venue for staff retreats, corporate training, ESG practice activities, and executive board meetings. Choosing Gaeavilla is not just about caring for employees—it's a commitment to building a brand's sustainable image.

Coming here isn’t just a trip—it’s a conscious act.

"When sustainability becomes a moving experience, choosing low-carbon is no longer a compromise but the gentlest investment in the future." —SSBTI.ORG 

Note: All data and certifications in this article are cited from the official documents of Gaeavilla (https://www.gaeavilla.com/zh-tw) and third-party verification reports, in compliance with the standards of the Science Based Targets initiative (SSBTi).