A matter of hygiene<\/p>\n
Recently, on a morning television program a representative
\nfrom the tourist sector spoke of tourism in Indonesia being the
\nthird highest foreign exchange earner. However, he expressed his
\nconcern that while all efforts were being made to increase the
\nefficiency of this particular sector, it must not be forgotten
\nthat European tourists are inclined to sue travel agents if their
\npromotional brochures do not match their expectations. For
\nexample, a brochure may talk of white clean sandy beaches with
\ncrystal clear seawater, but in reality the tourist may arrive
\nonly to find that the beach is littered with garbage and the
\nseawater is heavily polluted.<\/p>\n
An expatriate in my former office, who traveled extensively in
\nthe islands outside of Java, where beaches and seawater are a
\nparadise for scuba divers, told me that the locals living in the
\nvicinity of the beach do not bother to build toilets. They
\nrelieve themselves under the trees on the beach. The average
\nAsian tourist just grumbles and does not complain publicly about
\nthis unhealthy habit. However, Western tourists react
\ndifferently, as we often read in local papers. If they feel
\ndisgusted they will speak up.<\/p>\n
I think it is high time the Jakarta administration and other
\nlarge city authorities built public toilets in strategic places.
\nApart from being good for the city in general it would also
\npromote tourism. In addition, the local people will be seen to
\nhave a proper sense of hygiene. In Europe they have built public
\ntoilets for the public's convenience and for the sake of hygiene.<\/p>\n
A. DJUANA<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-matter-of-hygiene-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }