For this reason, Frost & Sullivan has been working on a comprehensive strategy to assess and rate hotel security provisions on a global basis, for the benefit of hoteliers, travel agents, insurers and, most importantly, their clientele. Joining Frost & Sullivan in this effort is the international counter-terrorism consultancy SDS Group, part of AIM-listed Pentagon Protection plc, whose technical director, John Wyatt, MBE, is the United Nations Blast Consultant for Europe and North Africa. As a first step in the introduction of this new joint initiative, Frost & Sullivan has published a white paper entitled "Improving Hotel Security in Today's Unpredictable Global Environment."

Commenting on this subject, Frost & Sullivan Partner Dorman Followwill said: "Travellers today expect to be well-protected when staying in a luxury hotel. They have the right to be aware of the security measures being taken to ensure their safety & well-being. This is now more important to some guests than the level of comfort a hotel is able to offer. Frost & Sullivan's in-depth understanding of the security industry, and its global research capabilities, enable it to provide an objective assessment of the standard of hotel security in key cities around the world."

Frost & Sullivan is carrying out a comprehensive survey of the status and standard of security measures in place in luxury hotels around the world. In association with the SDS Group, Frost & Sullivan will be working with hotel groups on a confidential basis to benchmark hotel security excellence. SDS Technical Director Dr. Wyatt explained: "Our 20 years of experience in carrying out risk assessment surveys in global hot spots gives us the skills needed to assist the luxury hotel sector now that it has become a prime target for organised international terrorism."

In addition to risk assessment surveys of individual hotels around the world, Frost & Sullivan and the SDS Group will also be providing training courses for hotel security managers and other hospitality personnel, featuring highly seasoned instructors with hands-on experience in securing hotels and other high-value soft targets on a global basis. The training courses will be held at major international venues from August 2009 onwards, with the first taking place in London, on 17-19 August.

In the longer term, Frost & Sullivan plans to extend its well-established Best Practices Awards process into the hospitality security sector by setting up a Security Excellence Rating System to formally recognise hotels implementing 'best-of-breed' industry security practices that provide the highest levels of protection possible in an uncertain world.