Mumbai Terror: 'Security in hospitality sector needs to be upgraded'

A guest, in the hospitality industry, is treated like God, seldom subjected to frisking or scanning of luggage. This leaves hotels open to attacks like the ones in Mumbai, say experts.

A sector, known to be the most delicate and service-offering, hotels are increasingly become soft targets due to their diverse clientele.

The security experts have sought an upgradation of security measures in the elite hotel industry on par with other international 'check-in' venues.

"Like airports, where a tourist has to undergo checks through X-ray scanners and other surveillance methods, the hotel industry needs to implement all these hi-tech techniques to avoid future attacks," says Retired Brigadier Virendra Kumar.

 

Today's terror attacks in two luxury hotels - The Taj and the Trident (formerly the Oberoi) apart from other places like bus stations and hospitals left over 100 dead and more than 300 injured.

Kumar, who had served as a security expert with the Indian Army described the attacks as extremely shocking and bold and said it called for a shake up of the entire intelligence setup.

"In hotels, nobody cares about the visitors. A proper security system should be implemented as such these places are frequently visited by foreign tourists."