HOTELS should take greater responsibility for security on their premises as professional crime syndicates are targeting hotels in Cape Town and other major cities.
This warning comes from Sheryl Ozinsky, head of Cape Town Tourism (CTT) hot on the heels of a robbery in a five-star Sandton hotel dining room and shortly after two Australian tourists were robbed of their bags, containing their credit cards, traveller's cheques and other items of value in a Cape Town hotel dining room.
She told Travel Now that after the police informed her of the syndicate, CTT issued warnings to all bed and breakfast establishments and hotels in Cape Town for them to "dramatically sharpen up their security".
"Furthermore, hotel staff members should not only be trained to be aware of crime, but should also be thoroughly checked out before they're hired."
In addition, Ozinsky suggests that only hotel guests be allowed into dining rooms, unless diners are pre-booked.
(Adele Mackenzie)
