by | August 22, 2011 · 9:14 am

Hospitality Industry Safety Concerns: Survey Ranks Hotel's "Cleanliness" Over "Security" As Most Important Factor In Making Reservation

Americans rank cleanliness (43%) over security (11%) as the most important factor in selecting a hotel, according to a survey conducted on behalf of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies.

The survey also showed that 84% of Americans would not refrain from traveling for business on September 11, 2011, the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack. Fewer than one in five of Americans are fearful of flying on September 11, 2011, while only 16% are fearful about flying on an airplane on a national holiday.

“Travelers should take safety precautions more seriously, and travel security should be higher on their checklist than cleanliness,” said Jim Villa, a senior vice president and North American manager for Chubb’s Accident & Health business. “It seems that more people are concerned about housekeeping than security.”

In other survey findings regarding the 9/11 anniversary:

  • Nearly one-third of respondents would be concerned about being near a nuclear power plant on September 11;
  • 22% would avoid a chemical plant;
  • 18% would avoid entering a sports stadium or entertainment venue with a large crowd of people;
  • 16% would be concerned about being near an oil refinery;
  • 13% would be concerned about being near a military base;
  • 14% would not take a cruise;
  • 11% would not take a train; and
  • 9% would avoid taking a ferry.

For more:  http://www.chubb.com/corporate/chubb14110.html

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by | August 19, 2011 · 6:11 am

Hospitality Industry Continues To Face "Threat Of Bed Bug Infestations" As 80% Of Pest Professionals Have Treated Bedbugs In Hotels During 2011

CLICK ON “BED BUG” TO VIEW ONLINE REGISTRY

* 99% of pest professionals have seen bedbug infestations in the past year (up from 95% in 2010)

*80% of pest professionals have treated bedbugs in hotels/motels, compared with 67% in 2010

*73% of pest professionals believe bedbugs are the most difficult pest to treat
*54% have treated bedbugs in college dorms, up from 35% in 2010
*46% have treated bedbugs in nursing homes, vs. 25% in 2010
*38% have treated bedbugs in office buildings, compared with 18% in 2010
* 36% have treated bedbugs in schools and day care centers, vs. 10% in 2010. That’s an amazing increase, as is the 31% who say they’ve found bedbugs in hospitals, vs. 12% in 2010
*18% have treated bedbugs in trains, buses or taxis, compared with 9% in 2010
*17% have dealt with bedbugs in movie theaters; 5% in 2010

For more:  http://pestworld.org/Bed-Bug-Survey-2011

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by | August 18, 2011 · 5:35 am

Hospitality Industry Employee Risks: Hotel And Lodging Groups Remain Opposed To Pending California Legislation "Mandating The Use Of Fitted Sheets"

“.. Senate Bill 432.. would create “new occupational safety and health standards for all hotels, motels and other similar transient lodging establishments in California…”

“.. It would mandate the “use of fitted sheets … on the bottom sheet on all beds” at such lodging. And it would mandate the “use of long-handled tools,” such as mops, to reduce stooping “to clean bathroom floors, walls, tubs, toilets and other bathroom surfaces…”

 “A 2009 report in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine found that housekeepers have higher (7.87 per 100) injury rates than other hotel workers…”

The California Hotel & Lodging Association pointed out that the medical study didn’t even mention fitted sheets as culprit in the injuries. And it charged it would cost up to $50 million to replace the regular sheets with fitted sheets. Mr. Hayes said the high number is “a bunch of nonsense” and that Sen. De Leon and other legislators are working on the bill to “find a way to implement it without added costs,” within the hotels’ economic structure.

He said the major hotels are in favor of working for a compromise bill. But the association remains adamant against any bill. And he said that, as only about 10 percent of housekeepers are unionized, including the sheet rules in future contracts wouldn’t help much.

For more:  http://articles.ocregister.com/2011-08-16/news/29897915_1_sheets-housekeepers-hotel-workers

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by | August 16, 2011 · 8:43 am

Hospitality Industry Theft Risks: Valuable Original Artwork Stolen From Los Angeles Hotel Located After "News Coverage" Leads To Tip; Hotel Security Video Holds Key To Finding Suspects (Video)

“We got an anonymous tip because there was so much news coverage…That really was the turning point. The news coverage led people to call us and say, ‘Hey, I’ve seen this, and this is where I’ve seen it.’

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-PNBTI5Crw&feature=player_embedded]

“…High-tech specialists are scouring hotel security video, and authorities may release a sketch or stills of the suspects later this week or next week…”

 

Owners of the drawing, known as “The Judgment,” verified just after midnight that the recovered 11 X 16 inch pen-and-ink artwork was indeed the original that had vanished from an exhibit on Saturday night, said Steve Whitmore, spokesman for the Los Angeles County Police Department.

An anonymous tip led investigators to the church around 7 p.m. on Monday. Experts from the Linearis Institute, which owns the drawing, later verified its authenticity, he said.

There are no suspects in custody, and authorities are not commenting on how the drawing — valued at $250,000 — ended up at the church on Ventura Boulevard in the city about 25 miles from Los Angeles. They also are not confirming the name of the church.

The drawing was in “a building on the church grounds, not in the sanctuary,” Whitmore said. It wasn’t hanging on a wall or otherwise displayed, he said.

For more:  http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/16/us-rembrandt-heist-california-idUSTRE77F49620110816

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by | August 15, 2011 · 5:31 am

Hospitality Industry Information Security: Hotels And Resorts Are Targeted For Cyber Attacks Because Of Faulty "Data Collection Practices"

“…The report said the largest share of cyber attacks — 38% — were aimed at hotels, resorts and tour companies…”

“… large hotel chains are most vulnerable because hotel management companies may not be able to monitor how data is collected and stored at dozens or even hundreds of properties throughout the world. Independent contractors who work for individual hotels can also open the door to hackers and computer viruses…”

A business traveler who books hotel rooms via the Internet, may be at higher risk of being victimized by computer hackers and identity thieves.

Insurance claims for data theft worldwide jumped 56% last year, with a bigger number of those attacks targeting the hospitality industry, according to a new report by Willis Group Holdings, a British insurance firm.

That could spell trouble for business travelers who submit credit card numbers and other personal information to hotel websites, said Laurie Fraser, global markets leisure practice leader for Willis.

For more:  http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-travel-briefcase-20110815,0,65581.story

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by | August 13, 2011 · 7:35 am

Hospitality Industry Information Security: Hotel Kiosk Computer Security Can Be Tested With Free Web Service Tool

“… iKAT (Interactive Kiosk Attack Tool) is a free web service that tries to bypass the protective mechanisms of internet kiosk PCs and gain control of the systems. Such computers can usually be found in hotel lobbies, airport lounges and other public spaces. Kiosk operators can use iKAT to test the resilience of their systems…”

The Linux- or Windows-based kiosk systems are usually protected and only allow specific applications to be launched. The primary aim of iKAT is to start a Windows or Linux shell. To achieve it, iKAT tries to exploit known vulnerabilities in a number of different ways. For example, when opening the iKAT page from a Windows-based kiosk system, users are presented with a “1Click PWN” button – this launches components including Metasploit on the server to scan the kiosk PC for browser exploits. Other avenues include accessing “Open File” or “Print File” dialogs in order to execute cmd.exe.

For more:  http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/Free-web-service-cracks-internet-kiosks-1321613.html

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by | August 11, 2011 · 6:23 am

Hospitality Industry Property Risks: Rhode Island Hotel That Suffered "Extensive Damage" From River Flooding In 2010 Reopens After Insurance "Largely Covers Reconstruction"

“…The hotel’s lobby, front desk, restaurant, meeting rooms, guest rooms and information technology equipment were badly damaged, and the facility, which had celebrated its grand opening in September 2008, was forced to close…”

“…The (reconstruction) cost was largely covered by insurance… The chain had hoped to reopen its Rhode Island location within a year but was delayed by in part by a business restructuring…”

NYLO Providence/Warwick has undergone extensive renovations on the first floor, which filled with four feet of water after the nearby Pawtuxet River breached its banks in March 2010. Michael Mueller, chief executive officer of the Texas-based NYLO Hotels chain, would not say Wednesday how much was spent on reconstruction. Susan Shaw, the new general manager, said the 163-room hotel will open with between 35 and 40 employees, down from 60 at the time of the flood. It will add employees and should reach full capacity by early next year, she said.

During a recent fire inspection test, in which the emergency lighting system was activated, Shaw said it happened to be raining — prompting an unpleasant flashback.

For more:  http://www.boston.com/news/local/rhode_island/articles/2011/08/10/warwick_hotel_damaged_in_2010_floods_to_reopen/

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by | August 10, 2011 · 8:03 am

Hospitality Industry Employee Risks: Alaska Hotel's Lawsuit Against Union's Call For Boycott Thrown Out As Federal Judge Rules Actions Protected By Constitution

“…the lawsuit stated that the union has both defamed it and interfered with its ability to conduct business…with the boycott costing  the hotel more than $638,000…A federal judge this month ruled against the hotel, finding that the union’s actions are protected either the U.S. Constitution or federal labor law…”

A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit brought by the operator of a downtown Anchorage hotel over union activities. Unite Here Local 878 has been engaged in a campaign on behalf of workers at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel & Spa. Union organizer Matthew Fennell says issues include job security, health care costs and workload for about 150 hotel workers.

Workers have been without a contract since 2009.

For more: http://www.ktuu.com/news/ktuu-judge-throws-out-hotel-lawsuit-against-local-union-20110809,0,4092962.story

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by | August 9, 2011 · 7:39 am

Hospitality Industry Guest Safety Risks: Child Drowns In Missouri Hotel's Hot Tub As "Water Slide" Distracts Adult Supervision

“…The death of a 3-year-old who drowned in a hotel hot-tub is being ruled an accidental drowning….the boy’s grandfather was watching two older siblings at a water slide when he noticed Parker was underwater in the hot tub and pulled him out…”

Police say 3-year-old Parker Wilson of Rosendale went underwater in a hot tub at the Ramada Inn last Monday. Wilson was at the water park with his siblings and their grandparents.

Emergency workers performed CPR on the boy but he later died at the hospital.

For more:  http://stjoechannel.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=216927

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by | August 8, 2011 · 6:09 am

Hospitality Industry Theft Risks: West Virginia Hotel Foils Flat Panel TV Theft With Electronic Key Audit; Thief Was Guest Who Was Fined $250 For Smoking In Room

“….a West Virginia man was fined $250 for smoking in his room…(the extra charge was added) onto the bill and slipped under the door…(he) was so upset that he retaliated by stealing a $500 flat-screen television from the hotel’s workout room, Palm Beach police said…”

The hotel found its thief by auditing the guest keys used to access the workout room, police said. It then located an object the size of the missing television hidden by a bed sheet in Nelson’s rental vehicle.

But some quick detective work by police and a hotel employee led to Nelson’s arrest Friday on a charge of grand theft. Police took him to the Palm Beach County Jail.

Nelson told detectives he used a penny to unscrew some screws and a tire iron to break a lock that held the television to a wall bracket.

For more:  http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/smoking-fine-spurs-theft-of-hotel-flat-screen-820141.html

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