The best loos across the world will be flushed out in an international toilet competition.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Toilet Tourism Awards made a so much of a splash last year, they are back for a second time in 2018.
Last year, the Southern Highlands Welcome Centre toilets won Best Economic Contributor Award, and on Wednesday, the 2018 awards were announced as open.
A special plaque was also unveiled in the Highlands’ famous toilets.
“It is fair to say our loos have become a drawcard in their own right since our win last year,” Destination Southern Highlands manager Steve Rosa said.
Mr Rosa said since the toilets were revamped in 2015, product sales at the welcome centre had increased by more than 20 per cent.
The new loos include posters, flowers, candles an audio reel and free wifi which created an increase in visitors from 60,000 to 72,000 in 2015/16.
“The appeal of our toilets has allowed us to divert visitors into our information centre where we have been able to educate, motivate and sell them products,” he said.
The awards, created by Mytravelresearch.com, aim to show tourism destinations that clean and quirky toilets go a long way in boosting a region’s image.
“The one thing we all have in common is the toilet,” awards co-founder Carolyn Childs said.
“More smart destinations around the word are waking up to the power of the loo,” she said.
The Welcome Centre toilets were praised by visitor Teresa Valez, who always visits the loo on first arrival at most places.
“Much to my husband’s dismay whenever we travel anywhere within an hour of leaving home the first place I want to go is the toilet,’ she said.
“So I said stop at the tourist centre and these toilets are so clean and nice.”
The 2018 Toilet Tourism Awards are now open and organisers are keen to see who will ascend on the throne.