Crusade for comfort

By Herman M. Lagon

When we discuss the appeal of travel, the conversation usually veers toward far-off places, rich cultural encounters, and distinctive cuisine. We seldom stop to consider the most fundamental but necessary feature of travel: the lowly bathroom. Still, this sometimes disregarded facility is essential for determining whether a destination is seen as friendly or not and helps significantly shape a visitor’s experience. It’s time we recognize that, in the tourism sector, the cleanliness, accessibility, and general quality of public restrooms—especially those with potable water—equal any museum, beach, or restaurant.

Many nations, including the Philippines, have struggled to meet the ASEAN Public Toilet Standards, a set of guidelines encouraging the maintenance of restrooms to high standards. Although the causes of this are complicated, visitors, especially tourists, clearly notice when toilets are inadequate, which has a long-lasting effect that might eclipse even the most beautiful scenery or fascinating attractions.

Traveling across Japan and Southeast Asia made me realize how much the travel experience revolves around restrooms. For example, I observed that in Thailand, every terminal—from airports to bus stations—has clean, modern restrooms with the most recent conveniences. These are not only functional areas; they are also meticulously crafted to guarantee comfort and hygiene, frequently with automated systems lowering the need for human involvement, so preserving great degrees of cleanliness.

Singapore, a city-state noted for its exacting urban design, treats its toilets first. Modern technologies in public restrooms include air purifiers, touchless taps, and automatic flush systems. Still, the meticulousness with which maintenance is done distinguishes it. Public toilets, including MRT stations and retail stores, are routinely cleaned and routinely inspected to guarantee they satisfy requirements. The city becomes even more appealing to visitors since these well-kept facilities give comfort and security.

Japan, a nation known for its cleanliness and friendliness, may lead the way in bathroom standards. Japanese toilets are an experience rather than only clean ones. From integrated bidet features to heated toilet seats, the facilities are meant to be as comfortable as possible. Furthermore, these bathrooms are carefully maintained, often featuring background music and aromatic air fresheners, promoting general peace and relaxation. Given that it greatly improves their trip, it is not surprising that visitors to Japan frequently remark on the state of the restrooms.

These nations know that a clean, well-kept bathroom reflects their dedication to the welfare of their guests, not only convenience. “We care about your comfort and health,” the message states in one of the toilets I went through in a faraway terminal in Japan. This is especially pertinent given the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. This objective emphasizes guaranteeing sanitation, water availability, and sustainable management. This aim directly expresses well-maintained public toilets with potable water, which improve personal health and the environmental sustainability of a given area.

We have a long way to go in this sense, though. Although some of the most stunning natural beauties in the world call our country home, our public toilets are sometimes appalling. The quality of restrooms is often poor, lacking in both cleanliness and basic conveniences, whether in bus terminals, tourist areas, or even cities. This compromises the whole travel experience and begs questions about public health and sanitation.

The fact that the solutions are neither costly nor complicated irritates many of us. A well-kept bathroom does not call for fancy financing or modern technology. Along with appropriate training for those in charge of maintenance, the public and business sectors must start committing themselves to prioritizing cleanliness and maintenance. It also calls for a cultural change in how we see public restrooms—not as an afterthought but as an essential component of our infrastructure deserving of the same care as roads, bridges, and airports.

Furthermore, spending money on hygienic, easily accessible, well-kept bathrooms might have a domino effect on the travel sector. Indeed, it is a matter of public health and safety, but it also relates to furnishing an environment where visitors feel welcome and comfortable. A good bathroom experience can gently inspire visitors to stay longer, see more sites, and return for their next trips. Restrooms are thus tools for economic development, not only conveniences.

Think of the narrative of China’s “Toilet Revolution,” a nationwide campaign started in 2015 meant to raise the condition of public restrooms all around the nation. The campaign understood that poor toilet facilities hampered the development of tourism. China has made great progress in public health as well as enhanced its reputation among foreign visitors by investing in better restrooms. The success of this project shows that enhancing bathroom facilities is about creating the conditions for more general social and economic advantages than only fulfilling a basic need.

Should we start a comparable project, the results could be rather significant. Imagine the Philippines, where visitors can discover its breathtaking beaches, ancient sites, and energetic cities without ever having to worry about locating a clean, comfortable toilet. Such surroundings would not only improve the general travel experience but also support public health and sustainable development goals of the nation.

If the Philippines is to advance, it must learn from its neighbors in Southeast Asia and beyond. Starting with the ASEAN Public Toilet Standards is a good start, but more than just following rules is involved. All levels of government, the business sector, and the public must work together to acknowledge the importance of well-maintained bathrooms and make appropriate investments in them. This is about building an environment where residents and visitors may flourish, not only about adhering to foreign norms.

It is impossible to overestimate the importance of hygienic, well-kept bathrooms in travel. They reflect a nation’s dedication to public health, environmental sustainability, and general visitor welfare as well as to its own. We can become a world-class tourist destination by prioritizing public restroom maintenance and enhancement. This is a straightforward but practical approach to demonstrate that the nation values people who visit to appreciate its natural beauty. For in travel, the most crucial difference is sometimes found in the most minute elements.

***

Doc H fondly describes himself as a ”student of and for life” who, like many others, aspires to a life-giving and why-driven world grounded in social justice and the pursuit of happiness. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions he is employed or connected with.