Apart from several other issues, lack of proper roadside toilet facilities in the country is one major issue that perturbs most of the tourists visiting Bhutan.
Just recently, some of the tourists narrated to BBS how they had to defecate in open due to lack of restrooms along the roadsides. In places with restroom facilities, tourists complain that they lacked sanitation. “I think that in a tourist place, there should be some toilets for public. It is very inconvenient to use toilet here. Also, we need clean toilets,” said one of the Indian tourists, Debarghya Ghatak.
“We hardly enjoy the sightseeing without proper toilets and our travel experiences are not memorable as we imagined,” said another tourist, Lido Windshchuttel. However, the problem might not last long since the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) is planning to construct additional restrooms and washrooms in places like Dobji Dzong in Paro, Hongtsho Immigration Checkpoint in Thimphu and Yotongla, Trongsa.
These three aforementioned places were identified based on feedbacks from tourists, guides, and tour operators. Currently, there are 29 restroom facilities for tourists in Bhutan.
“It may not be enough with 29 toilets all over the country but our aim is to increase, put basic amenities, we call it the roadside amenities which includes cafeteria with toilets in relevant places where people need to stop by and take a break,” said the Spokesperson from TCB, Damcho Rinzin. He further said the roadside amenities will not only benefit tourists but also the local travellers.
