Is it safe anywhere in the world?

Good afternoon folks,

The economic downturn has already reduced the amount of business and leisure travel being done globally. With the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, I daresay Indian tourism will be drastically affected. My condolences go out to the family of the sole Singaporean hostage, Ms. Lo Hwei Yen, killed in the attack last week.

We're talking about hotel security today.

In recent years, governments have stepped up security at key locations such as airports and embassies. Hotels, with their relatively lax security, have instead become prime targets for terrorists. Be it in Pakistan or Indonesia, if terrorists are looking for foreigners, all they have to do is go to the nearest luxury hotel. This poses a massive problem for the tourism industry. The question is, should hotels compensate for atmosphere and step up the security presence in their establishments?

Short of deploying armed guards and metal detectors in hotel lobbies, I think it is crucial that hotels re-evaluate their security protocols. A recent CNN report stated that travelers should stay at 3 star hotels as opposed to 5 star hotels if they want a safer environment. This is not the right mindset. It is on the onus of the hotel to provide good security without detracting from the luxurious atmosphere. Travelers staying in luxury hotels are not only paying for the room, they're paying for service and experience; implicitly included in that experience is safety. Being safe is tantamount to good security.

Hotels often have many entrances and exits for staff, guests, and suppliers. There should be a constant security presence at the key entrances of the hotel, like at the lobby entrance, or the receiving dock. In other areas not accessed as much, like a fire escape, there should at least be security personnel patrolling there around the clock. Hotels should also work closely with local law enforcement and emergency services to ensure quick response times in the event of a disaster. No more sleeping on the job for the parking attendant or valet, the entire staff should be wary of any suspicious activities going on around the hotel. Only then can we possibly improve security and the guest experience.

Thanks for checking in, I look forward to seeing you again soon.