McDonalds, Jollibee urged to provide ‘toilet for tourists’

MANILA, Philippines – Toilet for tourists.

This is the new call of Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez to Filipinos. 

After a public campaign to join in promoting the new country brand “It’s More Fun In The Philippines” on social media and beyond, Jimenez is turning to private companies to provide tourists access to toilets. 

At the meeting of Makati Business Club members on Thursday, March 29, Jimenez told businessmen that the government does not have to be the one to build these public utilities. 

Instead, he urged retail companies with branches all over the country to provide this service, citing a new world norm of having private firms do it.    

He said the Department of Tourism will tap fastfood firms, convenience stores and banks in solving the lack of public toilets.

“There are over 500 McDonalds, 800 Jollibees and over 1,000 BPI (Bank of the Philippine Island) branches which have clean, well-lit toilets, and with security guards,” he noted.

“They are safe havens for tourists,” he stressed.

Tourist activities vs tourist spots

Jimenez also mentioned that the National Tourism Development Plan, the blueprint for achieving the 16 million target for tourist arrivals by 2016, is being finalized.

He said President Aquino will likely give his nod sometime during the Holy Week.

The plan focuses on 21 clusters for development across 9 tourism activities, including:

• Nature
• Cruise
• Meetings, conventions and exhibitions
• Health and wellness
• marine leisure
• Entertainment and education

“We will focus on activities and not tourism spots,” he said. – Rappler.com