A new study by a global intelligence has shown that hotels are becoming the most likely target for terrorists.
The report, which coincides with the anniversary on the attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York, claims that terrorist groups such as al-Qa’eda are adapting their methods to improve security measures at military and government facilities by turning their attention to easier-to-hit targets, including popular tourist areas.
According to the report, al-Qa’eda is changing from a centralised organisation with international goals, to a collection of smaller regional operations. The smaller cell gets less funding and aims to attack less ambitious targets.
The report also states that a hotel’s location, insubstantial security measures and high levels of human traffic make it a perfect target.
Although most hotels employ security guards and have undertaken more stringent baggage checks, extremists are able to gain access by checking into the hotel as a guest while managers and owners are often reluctant to equip their hotel with security measures that may inconvenience travellers.
The report says that the amount of attacks on hotels has more than doubled since the 9/11 attacks eight years ago.
In July, nine people were killed by two bomb blasts at the Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriot, two luxury hotels in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta. In 2008 the Taj Mahal and Oberoi Trident hotels and the Leopold Café in Mumbai were targeted by terrorists.
The report adds that terrorism-related liability considerations which could be called a hushed concern among hotel industry insiders since September 11 and are becoming a much more prominent issue.
