=Paper=
{{Paper
|id=Vol-3858/paper5
|storemode=property
|title=Toilets, Tourism & Technology
|pdfUrl=https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-3858/paper5.pdf
|volume=Vol-3858
|authors=Stephen Pratt
|dblpUrl=https://dblp.org/rec/conf/ithgc/Pratt23
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==Toilets, Tourism & Technology==
https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-3858/paper5.pdf
Toilets, Tourism & Technology
Stephen Pratt1
1 Rosen College of Hospitality Management, University of Central Florida, 9907 Universal Blvd, Orlando, 32819, USA
Abstract
Sanitation and toilets are of paramount importance for tourists, playing a pivotal role in ensuring a safe,
comfortable, and enjoyable travel experience. Access to clean and well-maintained restroom facilities is
not only a matter of convenience but also a fundamental aspect of public health and tourism
sustainability. Inadequate sanitation can lead to health risks and discomfort for tourists, potentially
impacting their overall travel satisfaction. Moreover, the availability of proper sanitation facilities
influences a tourist’s perception of a destination’s hospitality and infrastructure. This paper scopes out
current research themes which include how toilets affect the tourism experience, the appropriate
location of toilets for tourists’ use and good practice of design, as well as highlighting instances where
toilets have become a tourist attraction. We note how technology can be used to address sanitation
issues and waste water management and finish with suggested future research topics.
Keywords
Sanitation, technology, toilets, public health, waste management 1
1. Introduction
Bathroom, restroom, washroom, lavatory, men’s room, ladies’ room, latrine, WC (water closet),
loo or toilet. Everyone needs to go to the toilet. Being on holidays is no exception. Even when
traveling on holidays. And maybe especially when you are on holidays.
Sanitation and hygiene are important for sustainable tourism development. Hutton [1] notes the
World Health Organization estimates that poor sanitation annual global costs are $US 260 billion.
Loehr, Dwipayanti, Nastiti, Powell, Hadwen and Johnson [2] highlights that access to water,
sanitation and hygiene (WASH) contributes to the health, environmental and community benefits
to tourists, hospitality employees and the wider community, resulting in safer destinations,
healthier staff and happier tourists. Naumov, Varadzhakova and Naydenov [3] notes that,
especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bulgarian tourists do not generally trust the
sanitation measures and cleanliness at rented places and there is an overall agreement that
family-owned apartments and second homes would provide the best hygiene and sanitation
comfort. Yet, health and hygiene are of crucial importance for many tourists in choosing a
destination [4].
Much of the extant research tends to focus on broader issues of sanitation and hygiene and
resultant ailments [5], rather than the experience itself. Given the importance of everyone
needing the toilet, but possibly due to being a taboo subject, it is surprising there is little research
into tourists’ perceptions of the toilet experience, how sanitation affects the tourist experience,
the cultural differences in using the toilet while travelling, public health and waste management
for tourists, and how technology impacts tourists’ toilet experience.
This research reviews academic literature on the different ways toilets impact the tourism
experience and how technology can contribute to improving that experience. We identify eight
different but related topics concerning toilet tourism. Issues to be addressed by research are both
ITHGC 2023: IV International Tourism, Hospitality & Gastronomy Congress, October 25–27, 2023, Lima, Peru
Stephen.pratt@ucf.edu (S. Pratt);
0000-0002-6550-132X (S. Pratt)
© 2023 Copyright for this paper by its authors.
Use permitted under Creative Commons License Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
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supply driven, such as sustainable sanitation solutions for tourism destinations, accessible
tourism and inclusive toilet facilities, public health and hygiene in tourism toilets, waste
management in high-traffic tourism areas, toilet design and architecture in tourism, and smart
toilet technology and enhanced tourist experiences. Other topics are more demand-focused: toilet
facilities’ impact on destination choice, tourists’ perceptions of sanitary facilities, cultural
differences in toilet etiquette and tourism, and behavioral studies and toilet usage in tourist sites.
Lastly, there are issues that pertain to both the demand and supply side of tourism, namely,
promoting hygiene education in tourism and the economic impact of toilet infrastructure in
tourism. This scoping study suggests several possible streams of research. These topics offer a
range of perspectives to explore the relationship between toilets and tourism, touching on
sustainability, accessibility, cultural considerations, public health, technology, design, and
economics. To date, there has not been coverage of this vital topic.
2. Toilets as a proxy for development
The construction of toilet facilities is perceived as a symbol of regional development [6]. The
People’s Republic of China’s President Xi instituted a “toilet revolution” in 2015 whereby
significant investment was devoted to installing sanitary toilets [7]. The goal of the toilet
revolution was to retrofit 100% of rural toilets by 2030 [7]. In 2015 the China National Tourism
Administration launched the 1st National Tourism Toilet Design Competition. Improved
sanitation and hygiene benefits tourists, local communities and tourism and hospitality workers
[8].
3. Tourist Experience
Sufficient and good quality toilet facilities impact tourists’ destination choice, destination image
and the tourist experience. Destinations recognize the importance of clean toilet facilities.
Singapore launched a Happy Toilet program in 2003 while Malaysia instituted a toilet
revolution in 2006 to address the poor hygiene and dirty facilities [9]. Indonesia’s Ministry of
Culture and Tourism conducted a Clean Public Toilet Competition in 2019 which targets
improving public toilets in commonly frequented areas used by tourists including airports, zoos,
museums and public transport stations [10].
International tourists often complain about the condition of public toilets, especially in
developing countries, where there may not be the resources to provide the upkeep of these
facilities. Sunarsa and Andiani [10] examine the perceptions of tourists regarding the
cleanliness of public toilets in Bali. Sampling ten users across twenty different public toilets in
the destination, they find that tourists find the toilets dirty and smelly with no soap or toilet
paper available. On a 5-point Likert scale the average rating was 2.18 out of 5 across a range of
attributes covering cleanliness, lighting, odor, functionality and signage. Along similar lines, [11]
survey users of public toilets in the tourist Daoming bamboo art village in Western Sichuan
Province. They find that while the surrounding countryside is aesthetically beautiful, this
contrasts with the public toilets which tend to be dimly lit and lack privacy. Toilet cleanliness is
extremely important among certain tourist groups including Muslims who require water-
friendly facilities [12].
4. Tourism Toilet Logistics
It was estimated that an international tourist uses a public toilet eight times, on average, on their
visit to China. Multiplied by the number of international tourists to China, this equates to 1.07
billion toilet-stops in 2015 [13]. Hence the proximity of toilets to tourist attractions is an
important planning issue. Public toilet site selection is an important issue [14]. Oman’s Ministry
of Tourism used GIS to propose future public toilet sites, taking into considering the location of
existing public toilets and existing tourist attractions.
“Good” public toilets are characterized as clean and dry with adequate ventilation, easy to clean,
and accessibility-friendly for people with disabilities. Bu [8] highlights aspects of China’s toilet
revolution, which would include tourism toilets that would be star-rated based on the following
criteria: 1) design and construction, 2) adaptability to special user groups, 3) toilet seats and
urinal designs, 4) hand cleaning facilities, 5) discharge and excrement treatment, 6) toilet
settings, 7) bilingual signage, and 8) management.
Sun, Wang and Niu [15] find layout planning, basic function, detailed design, toilet culture, use of
science and technology, and management are positively correlated with tourist satisfaction. The
toilet facilities need to be in alignment with the style and atmosphere of the tourist attraction,
otherwise, this will lead to low satisfaction with the tourist experience, as in Robben Island
Museum in South Africa [16].
Higher standard eco-toilets can benefit the environment by efficiently treating the wastes and
producing less footprint [17]. Technology can be used to reduce tourists’ waste. Ali, Lintang
Lestari and Dyasthi Putri [18] show how the design of an eco-friendly toilet in conjunction with
recycling cycle of water, rain water, and wastewater treatment facility can result in using only
20% of the current water usage.
5. Toilets as a tourist attraction
While the bodily function of using the toilet is considered taboo in many cultures, several
entrepreneurial restaurant owners have opened toilet-themed restaurants [19]. Lonely Planet,
the guidebook producer, has published a coffee-table book showing more than 100 toilets from
around the world with incredible views, luxury lavatories and outstanding outhouses. The
International Toilet Tourism Awards were established so that tourists could nominate the most
thoughtfully designed public toilets available to tourists [20]. Toilets can also be a tourist
attraction in and of themselves. In Foshan, China, artist Shu Yong spend two months installing
public art, in the form of a fountain built out of 10,000 recycled toilets. Originally designed for the
2009 Foshan Pottery and Porcelain Festival, it is now a permanent piece of public art [21]. Other
toilet-based tourism attractions include the Sulabh International Museum of Toilets in India [22],
the oldest toilet in Paris [23], George Washington’s toilet in Virginia [24], also in the USA is Barney
Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum in Dallas [25], while the UK has both London Loo Tours [26] and
the National Poo Museum located on the Isle of Wight [27].
6. Toilets and Technology
Technology can be used to achieve health benefits for tourists and residents alike. Various
technological innovations can elevate sanitation standards. Advancements in sensor technology
enable real-time monitoring of toilet usage, aiding maintenance and ensuring cleanliness [28].
Smart toilets equipped with automated cleaning mechanisms reduce water wastage and enhance
hygiene. Furthermore, decentralized sanitation systems, such as self-contained off-grid toilets,
offer solutions for remote areas lacking traditional infrastructure [29]. These systems can be
particularly useful in rural areas. The integration of renewable energy sources into sanitation
systems not only reduces carbon footprint but also ensures uninterrupted service in resource-
scarce regions, potentially contributing to sustainable rural tourism development. Additionally,
data-driven approaches enable efficient waste management and resource recovery from human
waste, contributing to circular economies [18]. In essence, sanitation and toilet facilities are not
mere amenities but vital components that significantly contribute to the overall appeal and
success of a tourist destination, making them indispensable for the tourism industry.
7. Future Directions
Given the scant existing research on this important topic, we propose the following areas of
potential research:
Policymakers destination management organizations would be particularly interested in
sustainable sanitation solutions for tourism destinations, where researchers would investigate
innovative and eco-friendly toilet technologies that can be implemented in popular tourist
destinations to minimize water usage, reduce environmental impact, and promote sustainable
tourism. Additionally, they would be interested in feedback on public health and hygiene in
tourism toilets to examine the hygiene practices and sanitation measures in place in public toilets
of tourist areas, assessing their effectiveness in preventing the spread of diseases and promoting
the health of both tourists and local communities.
Waste management in high-traffic tourism areas is an important area for research, where studies
could be conducted to study the challenges and solutions associated with managing and disposing
of waste generated by tourism activities, with a focus on the proper handling of toilet waste in
crowded tourist spots.
Given the important characteristics of toilet design, further research is needed to analyze the
architectural and design considerations that go into creating aesthetically pleasing, functional,
and culturally appropriate toilet facilities in tourist destinations, contributing to the overall
ambience of the place. Related to this is smart toilet technology which might enhance tourist
experiences. Researchers could explore the integration of smart technologies, such as Internet of
Things (IoT) sensors and data analytics, in public toilets to enhance the tourist experience by
providing real-time information about toilet availability, cleanliness, and other amenities [30].
From the demand side, tourist perceptions of sanitary facilities is a topic to be explored to
understand how tourists perceive the quality and cleanliness of public toilets in different tourism
sites, and analyze the impact of these perceptions on their overall travel experience. Further,
cross-cultural research could be undertaken concerning differences in toilet etiquette among
tourists. Varying cultural norms and etiquettes surrounding toilet use impact tourists’
experiences and behaviors, and strategies could be examined to bridge these cultural gaps for a
more inclusive tourism environment.
The accessibility of toilet facilities in tourist destinations for people with disabilities is an
important topic to investigate [31]. Research could uncover strategies to improve inclusivity and
accommodate diverse needs in tourism infrastructure while it would be important to test the
awareness of hygiene education among different tourism stakeholders, in particular to
understand the importance of proper hygiene practices in public toilets, which can contribute to
the overall cleanliness of tourist destinations.
As noted above, toilet facilities’ impact on destination choice and the availability and quality of
toilet facilities can influence tourists’ decisions when choosing travel destinations. More research
is needed in this area when can then be used to estimate the potential economic implications for
regions that prioritize superior sanitation infrastructure, increased tourist satisfaction, longer
stays, and positive word-of-mouth recommendations.
Lastly, behavioral studies on toilet usage at tourist sites will shed light on how tourist behavior,
such as toilet usage patterns and habits, is influenced by factors like crowd density, availability of
facilities, and cultural norms. One question which might arise is: at a macro-level, do the countries
with more international tourists have a higher level of public toilets? To address this question,
we use World Bank data for international tourist arrivals, as well as population, and GDP per
capita. The database for the number of public toilets is obtained from Toilet Finder which lists
the number of public toilets by country.
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