How do public sanitary facilities benefit city tourism?

“Where are the toilets?” This is a question many tourists ask themselves during their stay. Essential for everyone’s natural needs, they are nevertheless lacking in some tourist towns and busy places. These sanitary facilities have a considerable impact on the visitor experience, helping to promote city tourism and make cities more welcoming.

A priority need, often relegated to the background

According to an AFEST survey, tourists use the toilet five to seven times a day on average.(1) What’s more, with the rise in tourism and the increase in family trips and trips by older people, the demand for public toilets is real and growing. However, French towns and regions are often under-equipped, with an insufficient number of toilets for the number of inhabitants and tourists who frequent the streets. Towns with more than 200,000 inhabitants have fewer than a hundred accessible public toilets: 19 toilets are listed in Strasbourg, 18 in Marseille, 55 in Bordeaux and 15 in Lille. These disparities in terms of health infrastructure are linked to the municipalities, as they determine the number of city health facilities set up.

For a cleaner, more attractive city

Clean, well-maintained public toilets contribute positively to improve the perception of a town or city. A city that looks after its visitors and cares about their well-being, offering them high-quality, comfortable sanitary facilities. Satisfied visitors are more likely to recommend the destination to others if their experience was pleasant, which can boost tourism in the long term. Public toilets also help to promote responsible tourism, by encouraging tourists to respect the city environment. Towns or tourist sites that provide sanitary facilities encourage visitors not to leave waste or litter behind, thereby helping to keep city areas cleaner.

More comfort & accessibility for tourists

Tourists spend time exploring a city and frequently need access to functional public toilets. These facilities must provide a clean, private setting that makes for a pleasant experience, while guaranteeing access for all. Tourists with special needs or mobility problems must have access to adapted sanitary facilities. A city that offers adapted sanitary facilities shows that it cares about the inclusion of all of its visitors.

Happee Services, innovation for the city and its users

With experience dating back to 1962, Happee Services is the ideal sanitation provider for all of your city projects. We offer mobile toilet and related maintenance services for hire, to guarantee access to hygiene anywhere and for any length of time. Happee in the City is our range dedicated to cities and urban spaces. It has been designed to meet the expectations and needs of local residents and tourists, as well as towns and local authorities. They can be positioned and moved according to the city’s needs: for a temporary or recurring event, a specific season, etc. Among the most popular locations are parks and gardens near to markets and shopping areas, city outdoor café areas and pop-up bars, roadsides, accommodation camps, quaysides or by the sea.

Our “City” toilets are competitive alternatives for towns and cities that want to improve their sanitary facilities, for tourism and the daily lives of local residents. They offer users a quick, private and hygienic solution and are designed to guarantee optimum comfort. Our facilities are designed to meet the needs of every individual, including people with reduced mobility. We offer a urinal for women to meet their needs for speed, privacy and hygiene.

Happee Services can help you with your city project

Public toilets are much more than just a public service. They are a key element in promoting city tourism and enhancing the visitor experience. Cities that invest in these facilities create a welcoming, comfortable and accessible environment, which benefits both tourists and residents, while contributing to the overall perception of the city. Wherever you choose to set up your business and for however long you plan to run it, the Happee Services’ teams will be there to support you throughout your project. Our two branches based in the Île-de-France and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur regions, as well as the Enygea Group’s partner branches, enable us to provide services throughout mainland France.

(1) Source: AFEST survey