How to Ensure Safety and Security in the Hospitality Industry

The success of your hospitality business depends on your brand’s reputation. Even a single safety incident can send ripples, leading to negative reviews, lost business, and even lawsuits. Post-pandemic, guests have become even more discerning about their sense of safety. In fact, security measures are the third most important factor impacting the overall guest experience.

Read on to explore best practices of hotel safety and security, the crucial role of audits, and how digital inspection tools help streamline safety checks across multiple properties.

What is Safety and Security in the Hotel Industry?

Safety and security in hospitality are measures and practices designed to protect guests, employees, and the property itself from harm, threats, and unforeseen events.

This includes physical security, such as controlled access and surveillance; health and hygiene protocols, like food safety and sanitation; and emergency preparedness for various scenarios, from fires to medical emergencies.

Why Hotel Security Matters More Than Ever

Your hotel’s security measures can make or break your brand’s reputation. According to AHLA’s 2025 report, the facility’s security measures are the third most important factor impacting guest experience.

Even a single safety-related incident can have far-reaching consequences. It can lead to negative reviews and decrease the chances of repeat business. In severe cases, it may lead to lawsuits and damage the brand’s reputation.

After an incident-free stay, guests are more likely to return, leave positive reviews, and recommend your hotel. A secure environment is not only welcoming but also shows your commitment to safety, which eventually builds trust and attracts more business.

Hotel Safety Tips: Health and Security Measures Hotels Must Observe

Here’s a breakdown of tips for health and safety in the hotel industry.

Robust Access Control Systems

Controlling who enters and exits the premises, and specific areas within it, is a foundational element of hotel security.

• Secure Key Card Management: Electronic key card systems offer a significant upgrade from traditional keys. These systems allow for easy activation and deactivation of cards, providing a clear trail of room access.
• Monitored Entry Points: All entrances and exits, including service doors, should be monitored consistently. This can involve a combination of security personnel, strategically placed cameras, and access logging.
• Restricted Access Areas: Sensitive areas like server rooms, staff-only zones, and maintenance facilities require higher levels of access control. Biometric scanners or multi-factor authentication can be employed here, limiting entry only to authorized personnel.

Comprehensive Surveillance & Monitoring

Visual oversight plays a critical role in deterring illicit activity and providing valuable information should an incident occur.

• Strategically Placed CCTV: A well-designed CCTV network covers all public areas, corridors, parking lots, and key entry/exit points. The cameras should be high-resolution, and their footage regularly reviewed and stored securely.
• Regular System Checks: Surveillance systems are only as effective as their maintenance. Routine checks of cameras, recording equipment, and network connectivity are essential to confirm they are always operational.
• Presence of Security Personnel: Visible security staff on patrol act as a strong deterrent. Their presence also provides a human element for rapid response to suspicious behavior or emergencies, and they can offer assistance to guests.

Fire Safety & Emergency Preparedness

Being ready for emergencies is not merely a compliance issue; it’s about protecting lives.

• Functional Fire Extinguishers, Alarms & Sprinkler Systems: These are non-negotiable. Regular inspection, testing, and maintenance of all fire safety equipment are vital. Staff must know the location and proper use of fire extinguishers.
• Clear Evacuation Plans & Signage: Evacuation routes must be clearly marked and easy to follow. Emergency signage should be illuminated and prominently displayed throughout the property.
• Regular Fire Drills: They are crucial for familiarizing staff with evacuation procedures, assembly points, and their roles during an emergency.
• First Aid & Medical Assistance: Trained first aid personnel and readily available first aid kits are fundamental. Hotels should also have clear protocols for contacting emergency medical services when needed.

Use these free hotel safety checklists to evaluate the effectiveness of fire safety measures at your establishment:

• Fire Door Inspection Checklist
• First Aid Inspection Checklist
• Fire Extinguisher Inspection
• Hotel Fire Safety Checklist
• Emergency Exit Checklist
• Fire Alarm Inspection

Food Safety Management

For hotels offering food and beverage services, strict adherence to food safety protocols is crucial for maintaining guest health and safety.

• Strict Personal Hygiene: All food handlers must adhere to rigorous personal hygiene standards, including regular handwashing and appropriate attire.
• Temperature Control: Proper temperature control for storage, cooking, and serving food is critical to prevent bacterial growth.
• Prevention of Cross-Contamination: Dedicated chopping boards, separate utensils, and proper storage practices prevent the transfer of harmful bacteria between raw and cooked foods.
• Waste Management and Pest Control: Effective waste disposal systems and proactive pest control measures are crucial for maintaining a hygienic kitchen and dining environment.

Staff Training & Awareness

The staff are frontline defenders of safety and security in the hotel industry.

• Emergency Response Protocols: All employees, from the front desk to housekeeping, must be trained on various emergency procedures, including fire evacuation, medical emergencies, and handling suspicious individuals.
• Hazard Identification & Reporting: Staff should be encouraged to recognize and report potential hotel hazards, whether a wet floor or a malfunctioning piece of equipment. A clear reporting system should be in place.
• Cybersecurity Best Practices: With increasing reliance on digital systems, staff need training on protecting guest data, recognizing phishing attempts, and maintaining secure networks.

Guest Safety & Communication

Guests play a role in their own safety, and hotels can empower them through clear communication and available resources. Here are key guest safety tips that you can implement at your hotel:

• In-Room Safes: Providing secure in-room safes encourages guests to store valuables, reducing the risk of theft.
• Maintaining Public Area Safety: Well-lit corridors, clear pathways, and prompt addressing of any maintenance issues in public areas contribute to a sense of guest safety in hotels.
• Privacy Measures: Hotels should communicate their privacy policies regarding guest information and room access. Staff should respect guest privacy and not disclose room numbers or personal details to unauthorized individuals.

The Crucial Role of Regular Safety Audits and Inspections

Continuous adherence to safety standards in the hotel industry requires consistent oversight and monitoring.

Regular audits not only help identify where your safety measures are lacking but also pinpoint areas of vulnerability before they escalate into something serious, damaging your reputation. Moreover, they monitor compliance with external industry standards, internal brand standards, and other relevant standards.

Why You Should Digitize Hotel Safety Audits

Audits are important for ensuring safety, but manual audits have limitations. 

• They are susceptible to human error, such as overlooking important details and inconsistencies due to subjectivity.
• Manual safety audits in hotels require multiple resources, such as paper or spreadsheet-based checklists and a mobile device or camera.
• After audits, staff might need to spend several hours at their desks compiling all the findings into a shareable report. This is not only time-consuming but can also lead to delays in making important safety decisions.
• Manual inspections are not scalable. For a large property or a group of properties, it can be complex to manage audits and maintain consistent safety standards across all locations.

A hospitality audit app, like GoAudits, can help you simplify and streamline operational audits. With features like dynamic checklists (which you can update anytime), a mobile application, instant reporting, automated workflows, and corrective actions, you can manage hotel standards across multiple sites easily.

GoAudits provides us with trend reports that assist us in our annual budgeting processes. In addition to the portfolio trends, we now know the top 5 issues for each property and can reserve funds to correct them.

Kristin Ingram, Regional Director of Resort Operations, Latour Hotels & Resorts