OVERVIEW

Hospitality properties, encompassing hotels, motels, casinos, conference centers, and resorts, are designed to be open and welcoming to guests, visitors, and the public. For these same reasons, they are vulnerable to crime, terrorism, and violence. With large volumes of transient travelers arriving by car, taxicab, public transportation, and on foot, many with luggage and packages, hospitality venues must be thorough in developing comprehensive security plans to remain safe and pleasant places to stay. The challenge to owners, facility managers, and designers is balancing transparent and visible security measures to make visitors and guests feel comfortable and safe.

In order for a design team to plan and design effective solutions for new or renovated hospitality facilities, all project team members must understand the potential threats, policies, functions, and security concerns. The primary security concerns in hospitality design are to protect the security of guests and employees; the facility; and at gaming properties, known as casinos, the gaming license. These factors must be considered during facility design and security planning. Concentration on any one aspect of security, to the exclusion of the others, could leave the facility vulnerable.

THREAT ASSESSMENT

After September 11, 2001, terrorism is the overwhelming concern among hospitality property owners and managers. Threat and vulnerability assessments assist in identifying potential problems and appropriate security solutions, through design, technology, and operational...