26/11 Effect: hotels in multi-layer security

26/11 Mumbai attacks have changed a lot in the hotel business. Fortresses, visible securitymen, closed-circuit cameras and invisible gadgets now complement flowers and music. Lalatendu Mishra reports.

Hospitality, did you say? 26/11 has changed a lot in the hotel business after the November attacks in Mumbai. Fortresses, visible securitymen, closed-circuit cameras and invisible gadgets now complement flowers and music.

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“Hotels have become a lot more alert. Vigilance officers are deployed for intelligence gathering and to keep a close eye,” said Ramesh Iyer, executive director & CEO, Topsgrup which provides security services at several top hotels.

Cars often cannot make it to the foyer, parking lots are distant, and barricades are common. Guests are frisked more than once, identity-cards are mandatory and x-ray machines resemble those at airports.

“We will not allow anybody to enter unchecked. For the moment, we need armed presence but we need to go back to natural behaviour,” said Rattan Keshwani, president, Trident Hotels.

Armed guards exist for extra protection of guests.

The Leela hotel management has deployed sniffer dogs to patrol inside the properties and several exit points have been closed.