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Hotels get lessons in how to spot terrorist threat after reports of plans to target London hotel
Federal intelligence authorities in the US are reportedly meeting with hotel industry leaders in major US cities warning them to be even more vigilant in the wake of last month’s reports that Al Qaeda planned a terrorist attack on the Ritz-Carlton in London.
Authorities are warning hotels to remind their frontline staff to be both vigilant and vocal and to sound alarm when something seems amiss.
The government in conjunction with private companies has an “Eye on Awareness†programme geared toward all employees who may have contact with guests, including housekeeping, maintenance, front desk, guest services, food and beverage, transportation, and parking.
In under an hour, employees can learn how to recognise, report, and respond to suspicious activity on their property.
The course focuses on suspicious activity reporting, what types of activities are suspicious, and recognising suspicious packages.
The programme features elements from the Department of Homeland Security’s “If You See Something, Say Something†campaign.
While most of the content is aimed at preventing incidents, the programme also instructs employees what do in an active shooting situation, including how to stay alive and assist others.
“The recent terror warning reminds us that hotels continue to be a primary target of terror plots globally. It is imperative that hotels be better prepared and equip their staff and personnel with the knowledge and training to ensure the safety of their guests,†said Paul Goldenberg, an advisor to the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute.
By David Wilkening, TravelMole US
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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