Tork, a global brand in hospitality hygiene, has today revealed that 74% of UK diners feel hotels have the best designed washrooms in hospitality. The result comes as no surprise with hotel occupancy levels at an all-time high in provinces – a record 77% and being at the highest level this decade in London, at 84%, according to PwC, the multinational professional services business.
The survey of nearly 1,000 diners commissioned by Tork, a brand of SCA Hygiene Products, revealed independent restaurants and chain restaurants are a long way behind hotels with only 13% and 10% of respondents respectively feeling they had the best designed washrooms.
It is clear that it is not just design that is letting some washrooms down, as 90% of diners see poor cleanliness and hygiene as the ‘the off-putting factor when visiting a washroom’ and 79% of respondents notice the cleanliness of the space first when entering a washroom.
Once designed, it is crucial that the operator maintains the washroom to the highest level, as 81% of diners would not return if it were not.
Jamie Wright, UK&I Communications Manager, SCA Hygiene Products, commented: “Washrooms at their base level are a fundamental necessity for consumers, so why would they not be designed to the highest level possible? The cleaning resources hotels have available clearly demonstrates they are being put to good use, as washrooms are not just well designed, but impeccably maintained. If this was also the case throughout the hospitality industry, dwell time and return visits would increase significantly. So the clear message here the rest of the hospitality industry is never neglect your washroom!”
