While acknowledging that most stays go off without incident, International SOS is taking a closer look at the hotel industry with the launch of a service dedicated to the safety and security of accommodation. The attacks on the Oberoi Trident and Taj Mahal Palace & Tower hotels in Mumbai in 2008, the Radisson Blu Bamako in 2015 and the Splendid in Ouagadougou in 2016: some dramatic events in the recent past have shown that international hotels can be targeted.
Beyond these extreme cases, recent geopolitical tensions and the ISO 31030 standard which sets out a broader plan for managing travel-related risks, according to the global specialist in health and safety risk management services, " amplified the need for companies to assess the safety and security of accommodation used by their internationally mobile employees" . As a result, companies will have access to a range of services including 24/7 assistance, advice, traveller information and a selection of ad hoc hotels.
"We help our customers mitigate risks to the safety and health of their staff by providing a structured package of secure hosting services, including detailed and up-to-date information on potential safety or health risks." commented Laurent Fourier, CEO of Assistance Services at International SOS. Hence a range of solutions specific to accommodation which benefits in particular from a partnership between International SOS and the leader in hotel safety and security certification, Safehotels. Safehotels works with some twenty hotel groups with certified hotels in 170 cities and 75 countries around the world.
Through an online search platform, companies, their travel managers or their employees have self-service access to the database of more than 1,000 hotels checked and evaluated by International SOS, in addition to the Safehotels database. Once the choice has been made, the travel and accommodation information selected is then integrated into the Tracker tool, designed to monitor employees on the move. This online service is complemented by a hotel safety awareness training programme.
As part of its recommendations and best practices for managing the health and safety risks associated with business travel, the ISO 31030 standard places the choice of accommodation at the heart of the risk management strategy. " An organisation's risk management policy and selection process for accommodation, including hotels, short term lettings or 'shared accommodation' should be risk based."chapter 7.4.5 states.
At the same time, the International SOS accommodation service also includes tailor-made audits through a review of the risks in the area of a specific hotel and, if necessary, the implementation of security measures and procedures. All with 24/7 access to its experts for recommendations and advice for managers and travellers, as well as help in managing travel to and from its accommodation.
