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Luxury Hotels Emerge as Terrorist Targets

Luxury establishments are becoming terrorist targets

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 1, 2008 9:32 AM CST

(Newser) – The Mumbai attacks have provided world travelers with a new cause for concern, writes the New York Times: Increasingly, luxury hotels in developing countries are becoming terrorist targets. The raids on the Taj and Oberoi hotels come only 2 months after a car bomb blew apart the Islamabad Marriott, and American hotel chains are now actively discussing changes to their security policies.

"I think it's fair to say what happened in Mumbai is going to re-energize" security measures, said one Ritz-Carlton exec. Many luxury hotels in Asia already take precautions: The Hyatt in Jakarta searches guests' bags, while one top Islamabad hotel grills all guests before letting them in. But because travelers dislike overly intrusive measures, some changes might be more surreptitious; as one expert said, "We might see cleaning ladies with explosives detectors."

People look at the Taj Mahal hotel, where Indian commandos had a severe operation against terrorists, in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008.
People look at the Taj Mahal hotel, where Indian commandos had a severe operation against terrorists, in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)
Smoke emanates from the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008. Indian commandos killed the last remaining gunmen holed up at the luxury Mumbai hotel Saturday.
Smoke emanates from the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008. Indian commandos killed the last remaining gunmen holed up at the luxury Mumbai hotel Saturday.   (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
A bouquet of flowers brought by a local resident for the victims is placed on the pavement as Indian police stand guard near the landmark Taj Hotel in Mumbai, India, Sunday Nov. 30, 2008.
A bouquet of flowers brought by a local resident for the victims is placed on the pavement as Indian police stand guard near the landmark Taj Hotel in Mumbai, India, Sunday Nov. 30, 2008.   (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
An Indian soldier runs to take cover in front of the Taj Mahal hotel as Indian troops and militants battle in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008.
An Indian soldier runs to take cover in front of the Taj Mahal hotel as Indian troops and militants battle in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)
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