After 9/11, are hotels safer?

Nowadays, even one’s shadow sometimes looks like a terrorist. Blame the paranoia on 9/11, when one beautiful day became modern history’s worst nightmare.

In the wake of Sept. 11, security has been thrust into the forefront of hotel operations. Whereas before when hotels worldwide would harp on location, location, location–nowadays security has become equally important.

Multinational corporations, foreign governments and dignitaries, businessmen, female travelers all consider security of paramount importance when deciding which hotels they or their staff will stay in when traveling overseas.

Business people account for a good 80 percent of the Philippine travel market, and as members of a hugely profitable sector, security demands and complaints are being heeded.

Among the growing number of hotels concerned with their security is The Peninsula Manila.

"Travel industry experts say travelers are increasingly becoming more demanding and discerning. Their main concerns are safety and security, along with comfort and convenience," says David Batchelor, The Peninsula Manila’s general manager. "9-11 has changed our industry considerably."

Thus, for the Peninsula, safety and security now rank alongside location, facilities and service in the hierarchy of priorities for their guests.

Batchelor explains, "Guest safety and security is a major priority for The Peninsula Manila. Hence, security personnel are on hand 24 hours a day to oversee the flow of people, as well as to ensure that The Peninsula Manila’s safety and security procedures are always implemented. Guests are requested to allow security personnel to conduct a safety inspection of their bags, and a metal detector check is also standard procedure."

But he hastens to add that the hotel’s strict policies on safety and security have been in place long before 9-11. Still, The Peninsula Manila has had to adapt and change as well. Security has not become lax in any way, but it has definitely become more noticeable. Not obtrusive, mind you, but one with a heightened profile because people want to see it.

And most of the hotel’s dedicated security personnel have a background in either military or police service. But, Batchelor elaborates, they don’t just depend on security personnel to keep watch over the hotel. It is every employee’s job to keep his or her eyes and ears open at all times.

And security–with their closed circuit TV (CCTV), communications equipment, investigative procedures, etc.–does not just cover all public areas but back-of-the-house operations as well.

All this should be welcome news to another burgeoning sector of the business travel market: female business travelers.

The Peninsula Manila has been re-evaluating many aspects of its business to make itself more female traveler-friendly. For instance, women do not like dimly lit corridors and are more likely to order meals from room service than to go to a hotel restaurant at the end of a workday.

They have been vocal in airing concerns about hotel security, be it poorly-lit parking garages or front desk clerks who mention the room number when they hand a guest their key. "The changes end up benefiting all our customers–male or female," says Batchelor.

Edna’s pride

Here is a heartfelt letter from a mother from Baguio:

Dear Joanne,

Greetings from Baguio! I hope everything is fine with you. I am writing as a mother who is proud of her son’s latest accomplishment!

Our son, Juan Carlos Anton was chosen one of Baguio’s 10 Outstanding Citizens (the youngest ever at 31) and given the recognition (for sports) on the 93rd Foundation Day of Baguio, together with Secretary Silvestre Afable of the Presidential Management Staff and lawyer Clarita Casuga-Tabin for Public Service; Dr. Virgilio Bautista and Dr. Osmundo Belmonte for Education; Ramon Dacawi for Journalism; lawyer Damaso Bangaoet Jr. and Cristina Dicang for Community Service; and Sonia Daoas and Lino Aromin for Arts and Culture.

Last month (before the great floods), Carlos was part of the six-member Philippine Marlboro Adventure team that went to the Czech Republic. Thousands applied, 544 faced the challenge, 24 reached the finals and only six made it to the great adventure (and survived).

Carlos is running third in a field of 17 at the Subic Super Saloon series behind Jody Coseteng and Kookie Ramirez. He has more than 300 trophies since he started racing more than a decade ago and he won titles in Slalom (1991-1992); Karting (1995-1996); Rallycross (1996); and Circuit Racing (1998-2001) that earned him three city council resolutions (1995,1998 and 2001). He won back to back titles in the Subic Production Car Championship (2000-2001) and the Formula Toyota Rookie of the Year Award in 2002.

Forgive me for being such a stage mother, I was all over the place taking photos during the awarding ceremonies by the guest of honor, Rep. Imee Marcos so I could request you to please spare a little space in your widely read and popular column for this mother’s joy. Like all typical males, my husband Mike was trying to blend with the audience, short of hiding under his chair while yours truly was elbowing the rest of the press. Thank you for understanding how tulo laway I am, but I can’t help it!

Very truly yours,

Edna Reynoso-Anton