Malaysia has introduced the ‘Toilet of the Year’ award, aimed at enhancing the quality of public restrooms to bolster tourism. This innovative initiative celebrates clean and well-maintained toilets across the country, promoting better hygiene standards and attracting tourists. The award is expected to have a positive impact on Malaysia’s tourism industry, making it an appealing destination for travelers seeking comfort and convenience.
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In an effort to enhance the image of the country and prepare for Visit Malaysia Year 2025, the Malaysian Local Government Development Ministry introduced the inaugural ‘Toilet Of The Year 2023’ award. This innovative initiative, spearheaded by Minister Nga Kor Ming, aims to transform public restrooms by focusing on cleanliness, aesthetics, and fragrance, ultimately catering to the needs of both local citizens and foreign tourists.
Minister Nga Kor Ming emphasized the importance of changing public perception regarding the cleanliness and comfort of public restrooms. These transformations will adhere to BMW (bersih, menawan, wangi) standards, signifying clean, attractive, and fragrant facilities. The ‘Toilet Of The Year’ award is expected to play a pivotal role in promoting these BMW-standard public restrooms, particularly within the private sector.
Furthermore, Minister Nga highlighted the substantial global market value of the toilet equipment industry, estimated at RM80 billion, with an annual growth rate of 7.6%. He expressed a vision to not only ensure Malaysia’s public restrooms reach world-class standards but also to foster the development of the domestic toilet equipment industry, similar to renowned brands such as Coway in Korea and Toto in Japan. The industry is thriving due to the global urbanization trend, which includes the introduction of “smart toilets” and a growing awareness of toilet hygiene.
To encourage broader participation in the awards, next year will see an expansion from five to seven categories, along with an increase in the cash prize from RM10,000 to RM20,000.
This news story reports on Malaysia’s innovative approach to improving public toilets, aiming to boost tourism and the country’s image, as well as promote the growth of the toilet equipment industry. The ‘Toilet Of The Year’ award is poised to play a crucial role in this transformation.