Safe and secure the goal for hotel guests
Hotel guests certainly rest easier knowing they are in a safe and secure location.
Perimeter security and access control systems have never been more important for hotels and resorts as accommodation properties load up on technology to ensure their guests have a comfortable – and safe – stay.
Increasingly sophisticated access controls, including CCTV cameras, boom gates, intercoms and smart locks, have become standard in the accommodation industry as hotels and resorts concentrate on securing their grounds, controlling access to restricted areas, and allowing guests to safely check-in after hours.
Computer systems are crucial to establishing barriers and monitoring any security threats such as uninvited guests lurking around rooms, as well as risk liabilities, especially in swimming pool areas.
Computerised access control management software can configure electronic locks on a hotel perimeter, thwarting gate crashers.
Hotels can also use access control systems to automate check-ins and check-outs. With a good access control system, staff can grant entry to each guest simply by enabling or disabling each room digitally.
While traditional metal room keys have largely become relics, room security has been exponentially boosted by electronic locking systems in their many phases.
Some hotels are using check-in touch screen kiosks that automate key collection and return.
Many hotels go one step further and allow guests to access their hotel rooms directly with their mobile devices, with many phone keys using the additional security of 128-bit encryption, a bank-level standard that’s essentially uncrackable.
Michael Johnson, the CEO of Tourism Accommodation Australia, said that in most hotels a guest tapping on a door lock with their access key immediately alerted the front desk through its property management system.
“Hotel security personnel know when people are in rooms – or not in rooms. The room access technology has meant great improvements in both security and service,” Mr Johnson said.
Not only has room access undergone a seismic technological shift, but the latest closed circuit television cameras are much cheaper and more user friendly than ever.
Thermal imaging has become a standard practice in security and many of the latest cameras are able to detect the arrival of hotel guests who might show signs of fever, a crucial safeguard during a global pandemic.
Proactive cameras linked to a hotel’s property management system are effective at identifying unwanted guests through facial recognition, and unwanted vehicles through numberplate recognition. They can instantly identify movement whether it be in carparks, hotel lobbies, or hallways, giving security personnel an immediate warning of suspicious behaviour.
Mr Johnson said licensing requirements in much of Australia now required hotels and resorts to have CCTV cameras operating where alcohol was served.
“We’ve seen hotels throughout Australia upgrade their CCTV cameras and they are required to keep footage for at least 28 days,” Mr Johnson said.
“That is a major boost to hotel safety.”
Last year, when thieves broke into the grounds of the plush Verano Resort at Noosaville, manager Sue Barden immediately installed more CCTV security cameras and signage warning that public areas were under surveillance.
Ms Barden said that even with the cameras that were installed at the time the whole incident was captured digitally and resembled an episode of Funniest Home Videos. The young intruders started throwing thongs over the gate to test its height only for the thongs to fall back onto their heads.
As well as improved locks and security cameras, some of the best protections for hotel guests are fencing, good lighting and security gates.
Perimeter safeguards generally involves locks with a permanent power supply not effected by blackouts, while a variety of boom gates and sliding gates, all linked to a hotel’s computer system, add an extra level of security to carparks.
Grantlee Kieza OAM has won three Queensland Media Awards, two Australian Sports Commission Awards and has been a finalist for the Walkley and News Awards and for the Harry Gordon Award for Australian sports journalist of the year. In 2019 he received the Medal of the Order of Australia for his writing. You can find more of his work in our AccomNews & Resort News print magazines.
He has written 22 acclaimed books, including bestsellers Hudson Fysh, The Kelly Hunters, Lawson, Banks, Macquarie, Banjo, Mrs Kelly, Monash, Sons of the Southern Cross and Bert Hinkler.
