Guest security has come a long way since the founding of Clarendon Serviced Apartments in 1988.
Back then, mention double-cylinder deadbolt locks in common areas, CCTV in the lobby or locked windows on the 5th floor and people would have thought you were talking about a rather insalubrious location in London for a nice apartment!
However, it’s not just security from the professional opportunist keen to find something of value to sell down at the local pub! The tragic events of ‘9/11’, in 2001, resulted in the travel industry as a whole, taking an enormous economic nosedive which had a knock-on effect that has lasted through to today.
Since then, security has tightened at all ports of entry and exit. Service providers, whether for travel, logistics or accommodation, are now expected to take on greater responsibility and ultimately accountability for their guests. And if this means inconvenience or delays, so be it. Despite its increased sophistication and the relative ease and speed with which we can traverse the globe, the world is a far different place for the traveller than it was back in the early 80’s!
Clarendon have, as a responsible service provider, taken all the steps necessary to ensure the safety of their guests. For a start, the company source properties only in areas they know to be safe and secure.
They offer and 24-hour emergency number that guests can use, as well as email, to report any problems they may encounter during their stay.
And the future? Aside from ensuring they continue to source only the most suitable London locations for their properties, Clarendon are committed to keeping abreast of all current and future safety technologies within the accommodation sector.
The travel ‘experts’ are now claiming that traditional checking-in could soon become very much the exception rather than the norm. Automated identity systems could soon be in place to speed up the entire process, although this is not without its detractors with their privacy concerns. However, some say that those with nothing to hide shouldn’t fear their entire journey being tracked!
Travel and accommodation is fast becoming more “socially-driven”, and there can be no doubt that payments for these will, over time, become more integrated, allowing a ‘memory of expenditure and activity’ for individuals that is reflected back to both procurement department and peer alike.