The United Nations has dedicated November 19 as ‘World Toilet Day’ to focus attention on a critical health need for 2.5 billion people in developing countries including India – for sanitary toilet conditions. HolidayIQ.com, India's largest travel community with over 20 lakh members from 80+ Indian cities conducted a survey to understand the current scenario and importance of clean restrooms, while travelling. Conducted over last week, the survey saw more than 10,000 travellers from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune participate. India direly needs a toilet revolution if it needs to bring in revenue from tourism.
Of the 1 billion people in the world who have no toilet, India accounts for nearly 600m. Those have travelled the country will understand the fuss about toilets in India too well. Even at some of the world’s most frequented sightseeing sites in India, travelers often complain about standing in long lines outside stinking toilets and rank it amongst the worst tourist experiences in the world.
“Access to cleaner toilets on a holiday is one of the key requirements of a traveller and a relevant factor in his consideration set. It also influences the choice of holiday destinations and mode of travel. Poorly maintained restrooms at some of India’s most renowned and most famous tourist attractions is an issue many travellers face today. Through our survey we saw travellers across the country unanimously rate restrooms at railway stations as the dirtiest (88%) and except for airports (11%), no other public place does well. The government and the authorities have failed in providing the level of cleanliness that is required. Hopefully, these places will take the hint from airports where privatization acted as a trigger in responding to traveller expectations” says Mr. Hari Nair, Founder & CEO, HolidayIQ.com.
Mentioned below are some of the key findings:
- Which of these places require a major improvement in toilet facilities?
| Railway stations | 88.31% |
| Airports | 11.02% |
| Public places (in cities) | 87.90% |
| Public places (on highways) | 71.51% |
| Tourist/religious/heritage places (beaches, temples etc) | 79.17% |
- Have you ever changed your travel plans because of unhygienic toilets?
| Changed intended holiday destination | 37% |
| Changed the mode of transport ( eg shifted from train to bus/flight,etc) | 54% |
- How would you rate your current city on general cleanliness?
| City | Dirtiness quotient |
| Kolkata | 74% |
| Mumbai | 72% |
| Chennai | 71% |
| Pune | 50% |
| Delhi | 47% |
| Hyderabad | 31% |
"In which city did you find the cleanest public toilets?"
Being India's largest travel community, this survey aims to reflect the voice of Indian travellers. We are also inspired by our Prime Minster Narendra Modi ‘Clean India’ campaign which emphasizes on the need of establishing ‘well-maintained’ toilets across Indian cities. Sanitation is a huge priority for tourists, women in particular. 52 per cent of women have said that they have their intended holiday destination or mode of travel owing to discomfort with the level of cleanliness. Especially women with children in tow.
About HolidayIQ.com: HolidayIQ is India's largest travel community with over 20 lakh members from 80+ Indian cities and is India's first holiday planning website powered entirely by reviews, photos, videos and other advice generated from these Indian travellers. Currently, around 50 lakh Indian travellers plan their vacations on HolidayIQ.com every month of which 50% activity is through mobile.
HolidayIQ.com is a VC-backed company (invested in by Tiger Global & Accel Partners) operationally headquartered in Bangalore, India.
HolidayIQ.com lists over 2000 tourism destinations & 50,000+ accommodation options (hotels, resorts, home-stays, jungle camps & serviced apartments) in India. All of which are bookable through over 1600 partnerships with leading online travel agencies like Makemytrip, Yatra and Expedia & offline players such as Thomas Cook, SOTC, etc.
HolidayIQ.com is not a travel agency, nor is it partially or fully owned by any travel agency, hotel chain or any other travel industry player. Therefore HolidayIQ.com is fully independent and can provide travellers with truthful information not affected by any requirements to sell specific travel products.
Photo caption:
HolidayIQ Infographic - World Toilet Day 
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