Terror Strikes – Raised Questions Among Travellers About Hotel Security!

Mumbai hotel in flames! This time, the terrorists targeted luxury hotels such as The Taj, Oberoi and Trident all these are the popular restaurants in Mumbai, hospitals, the central train station and a Jewish group's headquarters, Nariaman points. Two of the city's landmark properties — the Oberoi and the Taj Hotel — were under siege. The grand dome of the Taj caught fire, masked in a purple haze, after terrorists set off an explosion on the roof as police closed in on them.  Around 300 troops, were sent in by the central government, to surround the Oberoi.

The attacks originated from Pakistan, the hub of jihadi activity in South Asia. Few local terror groups have the capacity to pull of an attack such as this. Two men entered the hotel and started firing. Hotel’s restaurant and started firing, but did not take any hostages along when they first entered. Bombs were reported in at least seven sites in Mumbai, and, by Thursday afternoon, more than 100 people had been reported killed and nearly 300 were injured.

26th November’s Mumbai attack was different from past terror strikes carried out by Islamic terrorists. Instead of one or more bombings at distinct sites, the Mumbai attackers struck throughout the city using military tactics. Instead of one or more bombings carried out over a short period of time, Mumbai is entering its third day of crisis. There are certain security measures that all hotels need to take such as: a photo identification, do the guests have a passport and driver’s license to present their identity at the registration counter.

The hotel staff should be well trained in security and emergency management training, so that they know what emergency steps to take in times of crisis like the above. How to safe guard the guests at the hotel, which way to take, to safely lead them outside the hotel. High-rise buildings usually have fewer ground level access points and are easier for the hotel staff to monitor who passes through the lobby after hours. It is important to give some thought to what hotel or motel you select and what room you are willing to accept. The cost of the hotel room is not always a good predictor of how safe the room or property will be. There are a few rules of thumb that should apply to any hotel room you rent. The hotel should provide greater guest convenience with self service check in and check out. Take the right move while booking your hotels.