The head of the China National Tourism Administration said bathroom facilities at tourist sites across the country need to be urgently improved in China's three-year "toilet revolution."

The head of the China National Tourism Administration said bathroom facilities at tourist sites across the country need to be urgently improved in China's three-year "toilet revolution."[Photo/Xinhua]

Bathroom facilities at tourist sites across the country need to be urgently improved, said Li Jinzao, head of the China National Tourism Administration. Many facilities have long been criticized for their insufficient numbers, unhygienic conditions and lack of management.

"Public toilets are necessary for travelers and reflect the quality of public services. However, the current state of the country's bathroom facilities has damaged China's national image and garnered lots of complaints from tourists," Li said while talking about China's three-year "toilet revolution."

As an old Chinese saying goes, food is what matters most to people. The Chinese have typically paid much more attention to the quality and number of restaurants while taking no notice of the construction or renovation of public toilets. The bathroom issue has often been neglected and shrouded in embarrassment and apathy.

Li asserted that bathroom facilities are as important as restaurants to China, which hosts more than 3.7 billion domestic and foreign tourists annually. According to The World Toilet Organization, sanitary toilet conditions and a greater number of public toilets at tourist sites and attractions can help boost tourism in a country.

According to the three year plan dubbed the country's "toilet revolution," some 33,500 new bathroom facilities will be built at tourist sites and another 25,000 will be renovated. By 2017, the country aims to make tourist site restrooms reach three-star standards.

The administration will help all public toilets reach proper standards through policy guidance and subsidies. Chinese individuals are also urged to learn how to avoid embarrassing behaviors in public toilets, Li added.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)