PH ranks 4th in bidet usage, study reveals

Bathroom hygiene culture is different in every part of the world, and this underscores an interplay between cultural preferences, economic factors, and travel accommodation choices. In the Philippines, bidets are very much like a fixture.

In a recent study conducted by British bathroom supplies company QS Supplies, the country has emerged as one of the top users of bidets in the world when it comes to travel and tourism accommodations.

According to the study, which analyzed data from thousands of rental listings on Booking.com, nearly 53 percent of rental accommodations in the archipelago are equipped with bidets, placing fourth on the global list.

According to the study, Quezon City stood out with the highest bidet inclusion rate at 60 percent, making it a preferred destination for travelers seeking bidets in the bathroom. The findings further reveal a distinctive trend where bidets are a common feature in rental properties.

In May, Cebu City pushed an ordinance to have bidets in all public toilets, saying that using bidets instead of tissue papers is “both cost-efficient and beneficial to the public interest in sanitation, health, and environment.”

Meanwhile in Angeles City, Pampanga, these essentials are now a must for toilets in commercial and business establishments, as the mandatory installation is stated in two chapters and four sections of Ordinance No. 326.

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According to QS, the modern bidet can be attributed to 17th-century France, deriving its name from a French term for a small horse, inspired by the seated position it entails. Surprisingly, in the present day, only 1.86 percent of rental accommodations in France incorporate these bathroom staples, as bathroom space is predominantly allocated to bathtubs and washing machines.

Italy claimed the top spot with a 76.28 percent bidet inclusion rate, making it the only European country to be in the top 10.