An article in USA Today on December 5, 2008, refers to and quotes a portion on an email communication from AH&LA to its members (to read the complete Member advisory issued on December 3, 2008, please click here). The sole purpose of this advisory was to direct our members’ attention to current and potential situations at hotels (and any other public or semi-public place for that matter), to assist hoteliers in their ongoing evaluation and adjustment, as might be necessary, of existing security measures.
The lodging industry views guest and employee safety as a top priority, as does any industry in which the public is served. Constant communication with our members is one way in which the association takes steps to assist the industry with respect to this priority. Below, AH&LA has also collected press statements on the Mumbai hotel attacks from representatives of major brands including Starwood, Hilton, Marriott, and others, and outlined a general statement on next steps as they relate to increasing hotel security:
Media contact: Robert Allegrini, (312) 663-6516
Hilton Hotels Corporation is aware of the situation in Mumbai and would like to express our deepest sympathies to those affected by the attacks and our industry colleagues in India.
Currently, Hilton Hotels Corporation does not operate any hotels in India and our office and team members in Mumbai and other parts of India have not been affected by the attacks. We are monitoring the situation closely and will respond to the advice and directives from local officials.
The safety and security of our guests and staff is the primary focus of Hilton Hotels Corporation and our hotels throughout the world.
Media contact: Katie Meyer, (312) 780-5711
All guests and employees who were at Grand Hyatt Mumbai and Hyatt Regency Mumbai during last Wednesday's terrorist attacks are safe and accounted for. Both Hyatt hotels are located well to the north of the various sites that were targeted earlier this week and remain unaffected by these events.
At all Hyatt hotels and resorts, the safety and security of our guests is always our primary concern. In light of the unsettled situation in Mumbai, we have heightened the level of security measures at the Grand Hyatti and Hyatt Regency hotels, and continue to work with the local police authorities to take all necessary precautions to ensure that our guests and employees remain in a safe environment. Both hotels continue to operate as normal, and food and beverage outlets remain open.
Telephone lines are operating throughout the area. If you wish to contact either hotel directly, you may do so at the following numbers:
Grand Hyatt Mumbai: + 91 22 6676 1234
Hyatt Regency Mumbai: + 91 22 6696 1234
We, at Hyatt, are deeply saddened by these tragic events in Mumbai and send our deep condolences to all who have been affected. We will continue to provide updates as necessary.
Media contact: Roger Conner, (301) 380-5605
We are aware of the situation in Mumbai and are monitoring the situation closely. At the present time, none of our hotels have been impacted.Marriott has three properties in Mumbai. Security at these properties has been raised to the highest level which includes the presence of armed guards and other provisions to prohibit access.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and cooperate with local officials in response to this event. Our sympathies go out to the victims and the hotels impacted.
Media contact: KC Kavanaugh, (866) 478-2777
We would like to express our deepest sympathy to the victims of these horrific attacks, as well as to our industry colleagues. While none of Starwood Hotels' three hotels in Mumbai were impacted by today's events, and our associates and guests are safe, we have maintained security at all of our properties in India at the highest level for some time and have heightened procedures even more in the aftermath of these terrorist attacks. In Mumbai, we have further intensified physical security at our hotels and are able to limit access to only our guests and authorized personnel.
The safety and security of guests and associates is our paramount priority. In today's uncertain world, our safety responsibility has never been more important. Therefore, beginning several years ago, we undertook a global overhaul of our existing emergency and crisis programs and procedures to address terrorism-related events as well as traditional crises.
We have made a significant investment to upgrade our emergency and crisis procedures and security measures in light of world events, understanding that travelers are ever more concerned about their personal safety, whether at home or on the road.
Again, we extend our heartfelt sympathy to all of those affected by today's tragedy.
Media contact: Tory Rutman, (602) 957-5668
All points of entry into a hotel that are accessible by the public must be safeguarded by security, in addition to the main entrance in the front. There also must be a delicate balance that is struck between security provided by the hotel, and security provided by the law enforcement authority, and the two must be able to work well together.
Media contact: Lori Holland, (212) 715-7098
The well being of our guests and colleagues is of the utmost importance for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. For security reasons, we are unable to comment on specific hotel measures, but we continue to monitor world events and update our plans as necessary.
Media contact: Jessica Soklow, (202) 289-3153
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) has been informed that many of its members have expressed that the events in Mumbai have resulted in their close evaluation of current property security measures and, as needed, the implementations of additional precautions to ensure that their guests and employees remain in a safe environment. AH&LA is not empowered to set security standards for the lodging community, however has taken initiative in directing members’ attention to current and potential situations at hotels (and any other public or semi-public place for that matter), to assist hoteliers in their ongoing evaluation and adjustment, as might be necessary, of existing security measures. AH&LA and its members will continue to monitor the situation in Mumbai and other world events carefully. The lodging industry views guest and employee safety as a top priority, as does any industry in which the public is served.
Click here for AH&LA's statement on security.