The United Nations has dedicated November 19 as ‘World Toilet Day’ to focus attention on the critical need of 2.4 billion people in developing countries, including India, for better sanitary conditions. One of India’s travel portals, HolidayIQ, conducted a survey to understand the current situation and importance of access to toilets while travelling. The survey witnessed participation of more than 32,000 travellers from over 80 Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune. Of the 2.4 billion people in the world who don’t have access to toilets, India accounts for nearly 600 million.
According to the survey, 99 per cent Indian travellers said that there is a need for more toilets across tourist destinations in the country. Highways, topping the list at 92 per cent, were given the highest number of votes on where toilets are needed more. While 85 per cent male travellers voted for highways, 98 per cent female travellers expressed a need for more toilets on highways. As more women are now travelling in India, women travellers have raised the need for more toilets across the board. They also mentioned that toilets are an essential element in planning holidays, especially in deciding the mode of travel.
With the growth of festive tourism, 86 per cent spoke about accessibility to toilets in places of religious and spiritual significance. Bus stations and buses are other areas where access to clean toilets is required; 76 per cent travellers voted for it.
As per the survey, 86 per cent travellers demanded cleaner toilets, while 71 per cent claimed the need for more toilets. Safety and security accounted for 62 per cent, 56 per cent travellers demanded disabled-friendly toilets while 37 per cent required feeding rooms for women.