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50% of Hoteliers Have Not Increased Investment in Security � More than a Year After the September 11 Attacks
/ HOTEL Asia Pacific Survey

One in three hoteliers fear for the safety of their properties, survey reveals

Hong Kong, 14 December 2002 - ONE in three hoteliers fear for the safety of their properties - and many have done nothing to step up security following 9/11 and the Bali bombings. 

These are two of the key findings from an extensive online hotel security survey conducted by HOTEL Asia Pacific magazine and hospitality technology consultancy Pertlink immediately after the terrorist attack in Bali that claimed more than 190 lives.

When asked: �Following the bomb attack in Bali, do you consider your hotel is secure?�, 35.9% of hoteliers answered, �No�. Tellingly, nearly 50% of respondents admitted that they had not increased their investment in security � more than a year after the September 11 attacks in the US.

Some hotels have not checked their fire systems for more than six months, while others have not put in place even the most basic procedures to protect their guests and staff. 

Despite chilling warnings that the al-Qaeda terrorist network has now switched its focus to �soft� targets such as hotel resort properties, and that Southeast Asia has become a hotbed of radical activity, less than a quarter of hotels have increased their security budgets since the Bali attack.

HOTEL Asia Pacific editor Steve Shellum, who organised the survey, said: �Whether due to lack of funds, complacency or an �it-can�t-happen-here� mentality, the lack of commitment to ensuring the safety of staff, guests and property is not just scary, it is an indictment on the industry.

�The main problem is that many hotel owners do not have the budgets to increase spending on security. Given the results of the survey, this is obviously a major concern among the hotel management companies that run their properties.�

HOTEL Asia Pacific Survy
ABOUT YOUR HOTEL SECURITY

1. In whIch region is your hotel located?
� Asia Pacific 58.97 � North America 12.82 � Europe 10.26 � Other 17.95

2. What type of property do you work for? 
� City 61.54 � Resort 17.95 � Convention 5.13 � Airport 2.56 � Other 12.82

3. What is the star rating of your property? 
� 5- and above 46.50 � 4- 38.46 � 3- or below 15.04

4. What is your job-title/position or department? 
� GM 43.59 � Security 25.64 � Engineering 2.56 � Other 28.21

5. Where is the headquarters of your company based? 
� Asia Pacific 38.46 � North America 33.33 � Europe 23.08 � Other 5.13

6. Following the bomb attack in Bali, do you consider your hotel is secure? 
� Yes 64.10 � No 35.90

7. Have you increased your security budget since the Bali attacks?
� Yes 23.08 � No 61.54 � We plan to 15.38

8. Has your hotel increased its investment in security since 9/11? 
� Yes 51.22 � No 39.02 � Not yet 9.76

9. If yes, where has the investment been made? 
� Extra security guards 17.95 � Increased staff training 51.28 � Extra security equipment 30.77

10. Have you positioned extra security guards?
� Yes 33.33 � No 48.72 � Not yet 5.13 � Not required � 2.56 N/A 10.16

11. Have you contacted an outside or government agency for advice? 
� Yes 53.85 � No 38.46 � Not yet 5.13 � Not required 2.56

12. Have you installed metal detectors at your premises?
� Yes 17.95 � No 48.72 � Not yet 5.13 � Not required 12.82 � N/A 15.38

13. Do you have sniffer dogs? 
� Yes 7.69 � No 79.49 � Not yet 5.13 � Not required 7.69

14. Do you have bullet-proof or locked windows overlooking sensitive areas? 
� Yes 15.38 � No 74.69 � Not applicable 10.26

15. Are you performing any extra vetting of prospective employees?
� Yes 25.64 � No 66.67 � Plan to do so 7.69

16. Are all your exit and storeroom doors alarmed? 
� Yes 23.08 � No 71.79 � In progress 5.13

17. Have you conducted any security briefing or awareness training? 
� Yes 74.36 � No 12.82 � We plan to 12.82

18. Do you regularly print an in-house guest list? 
� Yes 84.62 � No 12.82 � We plan to 2.56

19. Have you ever lost any master keys? 
� Yes 33.33 � No 66.67

20. Do you really know who has keys for all your locks? 
� Yes 58.97 � No 17.95 � I think so 23.08

21. Do you issue a security photo ID for all staff?
� Yes 61.54 � No 28.21 � We plan to 10.26

22. Do you perform security checks for contractors?
� Yes 48.72 � No 38.46 � We plan to 12.82

23. Have you installed X-ray machines?
� Yes 92.31 � No 7.69

24. Are all entrances/exits manned?
� Yes 38.46 � No 58.97 � Not required 2.56

25. Are all fire exits clear of blockages? 
� Yes 94.87 � No 2.56 � I�m going to check 2.56

26. Do you employ plain-clothes security guards?
� Yes 35.90 � No 56.41 � Not required 7.69

27. Do you have adequate measures to safeguard handicapped, blind, deaf and mute people? 
� Yes 33.33 � No 56.41 � I think so 10.26

28. Do you have a policy for suspicious package handling?
� Yes 56.41 � No 41.03 � I think so 2.56

29. Have you stopped cars parking close by?
� Yes 38.46 � No 58.97 � I think so 2.56

30. Do you have regular patrols of your grounds? 
� Yes 87.18 � No 12.82

31. Are the toilets regularly checked for packages? 
� Yes 58.97 � No 33.33 � I think so 7.69

32. All access panels checked and secured? 
� Yes 66.67 � No 23.08 � I think so 10.26

33. Are air-con vents secure? 
� Yes 46.15 � No 30.77 � I think so 23.08

34. Do you have clear roof access � is it secure? 
� Yes 66.67 � No 17.95 � I think so 12.82 � Not necessary 2.56

35. Do you have helicopter access? 35.
� Yes 15.38 � No 84.62

36. Do you have a sprinkler system in guestrooms? 
� Yes 76.92 � No 23.08

37. Do you have an updated emergency contact list with home numbers?
� Yes 84.62 � No 5.13 � Needs updating 10.26

38. Is there an established chain of command outside of normal working hours?
� Yes 74.36 � No 10.26 � Needs updating 15.38

39. Do you have in place any contingency plans for a major crisis?
� Yes 66.67 � No 17.95 � We plan to 15.38

40. When did you last test the emergency power generator?
� Last week 28.21 � Two weeks 12.82 � Last month 28.21 � Two months 2.56
� Three months 2.56 � Can�t remember 17.95 � Never 2.56 � Not applicable 5.13

41. Do the room attendants ask for photo ID before opening guestroom doors? 
� Yes 41.03 � No 46.15 � Not required 7.69 � They will now 5.13

42. Do you have smoke hoods or other protective clothing available in the guestroom?
� Yes 12.82 � No 76.92 � In progress 7.69 � Not required 2.56

43. Do your guests have access to torches? 
� Yes 23.08 � No 69.23 � In progress 2.56 � Not required 5.13

44. Do you allow guests to register using an alias? 
� Yes 17.95 � No 82.05

45. Do you ask guests for photo ID when registering? 
� Yes 48.72 � No 41.03 � It�s too intrusive 10.26

46. Do you keep a copy of the guest ID when registering?
� Yes 53.85 � No 41.03 � It�s too intrusive 5.13

47. Do you have a CCTV system? 47. 
� Yes 69.23 � No 28.21 � Not yet 2.56

48. What period are the tapes/discs rotated? 
� 2 days 10.26 � 1 week 20.51 � 1 month 35.9 � Other 33.33

49. When was the emergency lighting system last checked?
� 1 month 71.79 � 2 months 10.26 � 6 months 2.56 � Other 15.38

50. When was your fire system last checked?
� 1 month 69.23 � 2 months 15.38 � 6 months 2.56 � Other 12.82

51. Do you regularly print an inhouse guest list? 
� Yes 92.31 � No 5.13 � Will do from now on 2.56

52. Do you keep off site back ups of Data?
� Yes 53.85 � No 38.46 � Will do from now on 7.69

53. Do you think you have adequate protection against hackers?
� Yes 64.10 � No 17.95 � We�re updating our system 17.95

54. Do you think you have adequate protection against a virus attack? 
� Yes 76.92 � No 12.82 � We�re updating our system 10.26

55. Do you have an emergency PA system that gives messages in multi-languages? 
� Yes 48.72 � No 38.46 � We plan to update our system 12.82

56. Do your staff have walkie talkies or two-way radios? 
� Yes 87.18 � No 7.69 � Not required 5.13

57. Does your PABX have a voice-recording capability to monitor threats? 
� Yes 23.08 � No 64.10 � I think so 2.56 � We will install this function 10.26

© Copyright
HOTEL Asia Pacific/Pertlink
 

Contact:

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Subscription Information
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Hotel Asia Pacific
Steve Shellum
158 Wong Uk Tsuen
Yuen Long
New Territories
Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2882-7352
Fax: +852 2882-2461
http://www.hotelasiapacific.com
[email protected]

 
Also See Biometrics Lend a Hand to Hotel Security / Feb 2002
Hotels Near Airports Provide Better Safety and Security Features According to The Center for Hospitality Research - Cornell Hotel School / Dec 2002


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