Scenic spots have to improve their toilet facilities

THE CHINA NATIONAL TOURISM ADMINISTRATION announced last week that Orange Isle in Changsha, Hunan province, Central China, and Shenlong Gorge in Chongqing municipality, Southwest China, had lost their 5-A scenic rating, because of security concerns, overpricing, poor management, and poor facility maintenance. Beijing News commented on Monday:

The 5-A rating is arguably the most valued accreditation for Chinese scenic spots, more than 200 of which are members of the premium club. But the accreditation can be removed or suspended if the sites fail to live up to the required standards, as has happened with Orange Isle and Shenlong Gorge.

Apart from "severe safety risks", bad sanitation has played a noteworthy, if not major, role in the downgrading of the two scenic spots' ratings. Often ignored, the cleanliness or otherwise of washroom facilities always leave a lasting impression of a tourist attraction.