Seventeen years after the deadly 26/11 terror attacks shook Mumbai's iconic Taj Mahal Palace and Oberoi Trident hotels, India's hospitality sector continues to operate under transformed security protocols that reshaped the industry forever.
The 2008 assault, which claimed numerous lives and exposed glaring security gaps, pushed hotels into a phase of unprecedented vigilance. What was once an industry built on seamless warmth and effortless first impressions had to embrace rigorous checks and visible security barriers almost overnight.
From Open Lobbies to Fortified Entrances
The 26/11 attacks brought a major shift in the hotel industry. Hospitality norms took a backseat as heightened security measures became the new norm. Guests and staff alike had to go through rigorous checks-vehicle inspections, baggage X-rays, and body scans-just to enter hotel premises.
Large properties quickly invested in high-end screening machines, under-chassis scanners and pole detectors. Some hotels, like Courtyard by Marriott in Chennai, even deployed sniffer dogs as an added layer of protection.
Access restrictions also tightened. Elevators in many luxury hotels now allow only registered guests to reach room floors, and sensitive areas such as water sources remain locked behind electronic controls.
Selective Entry and Identity Verification Become the Norm
Post-attack protocols expanded beyond equipment and personnel. Hotels strengthened guest verification rules, with many adopting the "No government ID, no room" policy. Some properties also began denying walk-in guests from countries flagged for terror links or drug cartel activity unless backed by a corporate account. Government notifications for guests from certain nations became standard practice, further tightening the web of oversight.
Stringent Hiring, Limited Vendor Scrutiny
The workforce, too, came under sharper surveillance. Third-party background checks, deeper scrutiny of candidates with travel or employment history in Pakistan or Bangladesh, and routine crisis-management drills-now conducted alongside fire drills-became mandatory in several chains.
Focus Shifts in 2020s, But Security Habits Stay
While the 2020s brought a renewed emphasis on cleanliness, distanced services and contactless check-ins due to the pandemic, the legacy of 26/11 continues to define hotel security in 2025. Today's guests walk into safer yet more controlled environments-where hospitality and high alert coexist by design.
(With inputs from IANS)
