SAFETY & SECURITY

Recent developments: what are the new problems?

• Business Continuity in the Hospitality Industry A Snapshot of London Hotel Chains 2006
  By: Alexandros Paraskevas, Senior Lecturer in Strategic Management Department of Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism Management
• Hotel and restaurant company brands are often affiliated with the country of origin of that brand so are targeted by extremist groups that wish to make a political statement against said country, even if the hotel or restaurant is operating in an entirely different country/region of the world.
• Hotels and restaurants are often seen to beliable for any disaster that occurs, even if the hotel has taken every precautionary measure possible within the limits of its property.
• Too often the responsibility of local and national authorities is overlooked and hotel and restaurant companies are the scapegoat for any disaster
• Challenges faced by chains include accurate analysis of security intelligence, disaster preparedness, staff training, difficulties in achieving compliance with security policy over a diverse portfolio of properties (e.g. old/new; resort/inner city locations); difficulties with owners/franchisees; waivers & liability.
• The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) is looking to propose international standards for tourism services, including hotels and restaurants, which are deemed redundant, costly to implement and could interfere with the internal standards already developed by hotel and restaurant companies.