Bern, Switzerland – 24 October 2016
The Swiss hotel magazine “Hotellerie & Gastronomie” published a background report, which has caused a sensation. The report openly discusses a significant security problem in hotels – an insufficient protection against terrorist attacks. For a long time already, experts consider hotels to be so-called “soft targets”, which means they are easily attackable.
Ulrich Jander is one of the most renowned experts for travel risk management. In an interview he points out that there are still several security gaps in German hotels.
Mr Jander, what would you say about the security level in German hotels?
Ulrich Jander: „I would say the level of security is particularly low in German hotels. Hotel operators tend to replace or ignore this topic completely. Whenever we point hotel operators to weaknesses in their security systems, we get thrown out immediately. Especially in the area of travel risk management, commissioned by corporate customers, the hotel’s security level is questioned with an emphasis on the risk of terrorist attacks. It is alarming to see, how lightly hoteliers deal with this issue – whether with the levitating danger of attacks or other scenarios. Food safety is also very important – food supply could be an easy target for terrorists because safety precautions in kitchens and food storages are slight as well.“
Don’t you think that the risk of attacks gets artificially boosted?
Jander: „Most hotel operators and employees do not even know what to do in case of a terrorist attack. They would probably activate the fire alarm with major consequences, as all guests would leave the hotel and run straight into the terrorists’ arms. Most hotels do not have a security concept at all. But massacres like Munich and Winnenden in Germany have recently shown that there is a permanent terror threat, often coming from unexpected directions. I recently faced the hotel operator of a well-known five star hotel with several security problems in his building. His reaction was to ban me from his hotel. His reaction showed me again that there are unfortunately many people in hospitality, who do not want to take care of safety issues – to the detriment of their guests and employee. If something happens, it will be too late. “
Why are you criticizing hotels so strongly?
Jander: „Our customers are well-known, big finance companies, which are bound to safely accommodate their employees when traveling for business purposes. Travel risk management is therefore a priority. It is interesting though that upper-class hotels are often poorly secured, hotels of a strongly expanding budget hotel chain however, all the more. That is why those hotels are booked instead.“
Where exactly do you see most weaknesses in hotels?
Jander: „Please understand that I cannot officially name them. We do not want to provide a construction guide for terrorists. In personal meetings with the hotel operators we explicitly refer to their specific loopholes.”
What about the issue of liability?
Jander: „Well, because there are no particular requirements how to secure a hotel, there is no basis for liability. Most hotel operators know that and this is why they do not invest in safety concepts. Until something happens…”
Safety loopholes in top hotels – is this how hotels put off their corporate customers?
Jander: „Absolutely: Safety is a topic, which needs to be strictly reconsidered in several four and five star hotels. Take notice: We do not sell anything. We refer to weaknesses and point out where the problems and risks are for their guests and employees. But we are tilting at windmills…“