Promote better security, green practices in hotels

I applaud the Hotel Security Awards organisers for promoting security consciousness in the hospitality industry (“83 hotels awarded for high security standards”; Oct 22, online).

I hope the Singapore Hotel Association (SHA) will encourage existing hotels to upgrade their security hardware and software to ensure that the safety of hotel patrons is enhanced, and not compromised.

Going forward, the SHA should require hotel owners to have their building plans certified by approved hotel security consultants and the authorities, to ensure that adequate security measures are in place.

Just as importantly, the SHA should promote green practices. Many hotels overseas allow their more environmentally conscious guests to choose to not have housekeeping each day, in return for a discount, for example, in their food and beverage outlets.

It is a win-win situation for hotels and guests. The hotel’s bottom line would benefit from cost savings, the use of less manpower and higher productivity while reducing the use of cleaning chemicals and the harm to the environment.