Leisure and gaming industry needs to smarten up its act ahead of 2010
Incidents such as the Winecoff Hotel fire in the
Whilst hotel disasters exist as legend in the public imagination “the 2008 Mumbai hotel attack showed that behind the sensation are real people and real incidents many of which outdo the movies in scale, loss, cost and drama” says Morné van Zyl Account Manager: Leisure and Gaming, Alexander Forbes Risk Engineering- a division of Alexander Forbes Risk Services. Like many other members of Alexander Forbes’ Leisure and Gaming team, in addition to 13 years experience in risk management van Zyl is a former member of the S.A. Police and a member of the Security Association of S.A. Whilst his experience of some of the more newsworthy hotel and casino robberies in South Africa make for interesting listening, his insights are particularly relevant when assisting leisure and gaming establishmentsassess and manage their risk. As 2010 approaches both local authorities and international tour groups are stepping up their audits of leisure and gaming establishments in
After all, “the MGM Grand fire in
As such larger overseas tour operators are sending their own assessors to
Foreign consultants are very strict and operate according to rigorous international standards. “Legal costs aside the kind of bookings that can be lost prior to 2010 should one fall foul of these standards can run into millions” says van Zyl. Whilecompliance withtheOccupational Health and Safety Act (and similar legislation in neighbouring countries)remains important“there are a host ofother risks which could threaten the security, safety, health or well being of patrons in, travelling to, and between, leisure establishments” warns van Zyl. These risks include: While van Zyl admits that “this list is not definitive it does provide a place to start looking for exposures while helping proprietors understand and manage the risks that many of them are often unaware of.” More importantly, understanding these risks has proved valuable in developing leisure and gaming risk solutions – from small bed and breakfast establishments, to mid size hotel operators, through to large scale leisure and gaming corporations. Given this experience the most important message that needs to go out ahead of 2010 is that the leisure and gaming industry should not try to avoid risk, instead “they can and should manage it” concludes van Zyl. Foreign consultants are very strict and operate according to rigorous international standards. “Legal costs aside the kind of bookings that can be lost prior to 2010 should one fall foul of these standards can run into millions” says van Zyl. Whilecompliance withtheOccupational Health and Safety Act (and similar legislation in neighbouring countries)remains important“there are a host ofother risks which could threaten the security, safety, health or well being of patrons in, travelling to, and between, leisure establishments” warns van Zyl. These risks include: While van Zyl admits that “this list is not definitive it does provide a place to start looking for exposures while helping proprietors understand and manage the risks that many of them are often unaware of.” More importantly, understanding these risks has proved valuable in developing leisure and gaming risk solutions – from small bed and breakfast establishments, to mid size hotel operators, through to large scale leisure and gaming corporations. Given this experience the most important message that needs to go out ahead of 2010 is that the leisure and gaming industry should not try to avoid risk, instead “they can and should manage it” concludes van Zyl.
As such larger overseas tour operators are sending their own assessors to
Foreign consultants are very strict and operate according to rigorous international standards. “Legal costs aside the kind of bookings that can be lost prior to 2010 should one fall foul of these standards can run into millions” says van Zyl. Whilecompliance withtheOccupational Health and Safety Act (and similar legislation in neighbouring countries)remains important“there are a host ofother risks which could threaten the security, safety, health or well being of patrons in, travelling to, and between, leisure establishments” warns van Zyl. These risks include: While van Zyl admits that “this list is not definitive it does provide a place to start looking for exposures while helping proprietors understand and manage the risks that many of them are often unaware of.” More importantly, understanding these risks has proved valuable in developing leisure and gaming risk solutions – from small bed and breakfast establishments, to mid size hotel operators, through to large scale leisure and gaming corporations. Given this experience the most important message that needs to go out ahead of 2010 is that the leisure and gaming industry should not try to avoid risk, instead “they can and should manage it” concludes van Zyl.
Foreign consultants are very strict and operate according to rigorous international standards.
“Legal costs aside the kind of bookings that can be lost prior to 2010 should one fall foul of these standards can run into millions” says van Zyl.
Whilecompliance withtheOccupational Health and Safety Act (and similar legislation in neighbouring countries)remains important“there are a host ofother risks which could threaten the security, safety, health or well being of patrons in, travelling to, and between, leisure establishments” warns van Zyl.
These risks include:
- Fire Safety
- Public legal liability including slips, falls, serious injury or even death of patrons
- Food and other hygiene risks, including food poisoning
- Theft of and damage to guest's property or company assets
- Power outages and water shortages or contamination
- Swimming pool and playground equipment safety, including gymnasiums and health spas
- Fraud involving front office procedures, food & beverage controls and finance
- Labour unrest and related risks
- IT risk exposures including loss of data and business continuity
- Loss of confidential information or inadvertent release of guest confidential information
- Emergency Preparedness including safe evacuation
While van Zyl admits that “this list is not definitive it does provide a place to start looking for exposures while helping proprietors understand and manage the risks that many of them are often unaware of.”
More importantly, understanding these risks has proved valuable in developing leisure and gaming risk solutions – from small bed and breakfast establishments, to mid size hotel operators, through to large scale leisure and gaming corporations.
Given this experience the most important message that needs to go out ahead of 2010 is that the leisure and gaming industry should not try to avoid risk, instead “they can and should manage it” concludes van Zyl.
After all, “the MGM Grand fire in
As such larger overseas tour operators are sending their own assessors to
Foreign consultants are very strict and operate according to rigorous international standards. “Legal costs aside the kind of bookings that can be lost prior to 2010 should one fall foul of these standards can run into millions” says van Zyl. Whilecompliance withtheOccupational Health and Safety Act (and similar legislation in neighbouring countries)remains important“there are a host ofother risks which could threaten the security, safety, health or well being of patrons in, travelling to, and between, leisure establishments” warns van Zyl. These risks include: While van Zyl admits that “this list is not definitive it does provide a place to start looking for exposures while helping proprietors understand and manage the risks that many of them are often unaware of.” More importantly, understanding these risks has proved valuable in developing leisure and gaming risk solutions – from small bed and breakfast establishments, to mid size hotel operators, through to large scale leisure and gaming corporations. Given this experience the most important message that needs to go out ahead of 2010 is that the leisure and gaming industry should not try to avoid risk, instead “they can and should manage it” concludes van Zyl. Foreign consultants are very strict and operate according to rigorous international standards. “Legal costs aside the kind of bookings that can be lost prior to 2010 should one fall foul of these standards can run into millions” says van Zyl. Whilecompliance withtheOccupational Health and Safety Act (and similar legislation in neighbouring countries)remains important“there are a host ofother risks which could threaten the security, safety, health or well being of patrons in, travelling to, and between, leisure establishments” warns van Zyl. These risks include: While van Zyl admits that “this list is not definitive it does provide a place to start looking for exposures while helping proprietors understand and manage the risks that many of them are often unaware of.” More importantly, understanding these risks has proved valuable in developing leisure and gaming risk solutions – from small bed and breakfast establishments, to mid size hotel operators, through to large scale leisure and gaming corporations. Given this experience the most important message that needs to go out ahead of 2010 is that the leisure and gaming industry should not try to avoid risk, instead “they can and should manage it” concludes van Zyl.
As such larger overseas tour operators are sending their own assessors to
Foreign consultants are very strict and operate according to rigorous international standards. “Legal costs aside the kind of bookings that can be lost prior to 2010 should one fall foul of these standards can run into millions” says van Zyl. Whilecompliance withtheOccupational Health and Safety Act (and similar legislation in neighbouring countries)remains important“there are a host ofother risks which could threaten the security, safety, health or well being of patrons in, travelling to, and between, leisure establishments” warns van Zyl. These risks include: While van Zyl admits that “this list is not definitive it does provide a place to start looking for exposures while helping proprietors understand and manage the risks that many of them are often unaware of.” More importantly, understanding these risks has proved valuable in developing leisure and gaming risk solutions – from small bed and breakfast establishments, to mid size hotel operators, through to large scale leisure and gaming corporations. Given this experience the most important message that needs to go out ahead of 2010 is that the leisure and gaming industry should not try to avoid risk, instead “they can and should manage it” concludes van Zyl.
Foreign consultants are very strict and operate according to rigorous international standards.
“Legal costs aside the kind of bookings that can be lost prior to 2010 should one fall foul of these standards can run into millions” says van Zyl.
Whilecompliance withtheOccupational Health and Safety Act (and similar legislation in neighbouring countries)remains important“there are a host ofother risks which could threaten the security, safety, health or well being of patrons in, travelling to, and between, leisure establishments” warns van Zyl.
These risks include:
- Fire Safety
- Public legal liability including slips, falls, serious injury or even death of patrons
- Food and other hygiene risks, including food poisoning
- Theft of and damage to guest's property or company assets
- Power outages and water shortages or contamination
- Swimming pool and playground equipment safety, including gymnasiums and health spas
- Fraud involving front office procedures, food & beverage controls and finance
- Labour unrest and related risks
- IT risk exposures including loss of data and business continuity
- Loss of confidential information or inadvertent release of guest confidential information
- Emergency Preparedness including safe evacuation
While van Zyl admits that “this list is not definitive it does provide a place to start looking for exposures while helping proprietors understand and manage the risks that many of them are often unaware of.”
More importantly, understanding these risks has proved valuable in developing leisure and gaming risk solutions – from small bed and breakfast establishments, to mid size hotel operators, through to large scale leisure and gaming corporations.
Given this experience the most important message that needs to go out ahead of 2010 is that the leisure and gaming industry should not try to avoid risk, instead “they can and should manage it” concludes van Zyl.
Whilst hotel disasters exist as legend in the public imagination “the 2008 Mumbai hotel attack showed that behind the sensation are real people and real incidents many of which outdo the movies in scale, loss, cost and drama” says Morné van Zyl Account Manager: Leisure and Gaming, Alexander Forbes Risk Engineering- a division of Alexander Forbes Risk Services.
Like many other members of Alexander Forbes’ Leisure and Gaming team, in addition to 13 years experience in risk management van Zyl is a former member of the S.A. Police and a member of the Security Association of S.A.
Whilst his experience of some of the more newsworthy hotel and casino robberies in South Africa make for interesting listening, his insights are particularly relevant when assisting leisure and gaming establishmentsassess and manage their risk.
As 2010 approaches both local authorities and international tour groups are stepping up their audits of leisure and gaming establishments in
After all, “the MGM Grand fire in
As such larger overseas tour operators are sending their own assessors to
Foreign consultants are very strict and operate according to rigorous international standards. “Legal costs aside the kind of bookings that can be lost prior to 2010 should one fall foul of these standards can run into millions” says van Zyl. Whilecompliance withtheOccupational Health and Safety Act (and similar legislation in neighbouring countries)remains important“there are a host ofother risks which could threaten the security, safety, health or well being of patrons in, travelling to, and between, leisure establishments” warns van Zyl. These risks include: While van Zyl admits that “this list is not definitive it does provide a place to start looking for exposures while helping proprietors understand and manage the risks that many of them are often unaware of.” More importantly, understanding these risks has proved valuable in developing leisure and gaming risk solutions – from small bed and breakfast establishments, to mid size hotel operators, through to large scale leisure and gaming corporations. Given this experience the most important message that needs to go out ahead of 2010 is that the leisure and gaming industry should not try to avoid risk, instead “they can and should manage it” concludes van Zyl. Foreign consultants are very strict and operate according to rigorous international standards. “Legal costs aside the kind of bookings that can be lost prior to 2010 should one fall foul of these standards can run into millions” says van Zyl. Whilecompliance withtheOccupational Health and Safety Act (and similar legislation in neighbouring countries)remains important“there are a host ofother risks which could threaten the security, safety, health or well being of patrons in, travelling to, and between, leisure establishments” warns van Zyl. These risks include: While van Zyl admits that “this list is not definitive it does provide a place to start looking for exposures while helping proprietors understand and manage the risks that many of them are often unaware of.” More importantly, understanding these risks has proved valuable in developing leisure and gaming risk solutions – from small bed and breakfast establishments, to mid size hotel operators, through to large scale leisure and gaming corporations. Given this experience the most important message that needs to go out ahead of 2010 is that the leisure and gaming industry should not try to avoid risk, instead “they can and should manage it” concludes van Zyl. As such larger overseas tour operators are sending their own assessors to
Foreign consultants are very strict and operate according to rigorous international standards. “Legal costs aside the kind of bookings that can be lost prior to 2010 should one fall foul of these standards can run into millions” says van Zyl. Whilecompliance withtheOccupational Health and Safety Act (and similar legislation in neighbouring countries)remains important“there are a host ofother risks which could threaten the security, safety, health or well being of patrons in, travelling to, and between, leisure establishments” warns van Zyl. These risks include: While van Zyl admits that “this list is not definitive it does provide a place to start looking for exposures while helping proprietors understand and manage the risks that many of them are often unaware of.” More importantly, understanding these risks has proved valuable in developing leisure and gaming risk solutions – from small bed and breakfast establishments, to mid size hotel operators, through to large scale leisure and gaming corporations. Given this experience the most important message that needs to go out ahead of 2010 is that the leisure and gaming industry should not try to avoid risk, instead “they can and should manage it” concludes van Zyl. Foreign consultants are very strict and operate according to rigorous international standards. “Legal costs aside the kind of bookings that can be lost prior to 2010 should one fall foul of these standards can run into millions” says van Zyl. Whilecompliance withtheOccupational Health and Safety Act (and similar legislation in neighbouring countries)remains important“there are a host ofother risks which could threaten the security, safety, health or well being of patrons in, travelling to, and between, leisure establishments” warns van Zyl. These risks include: While van Zyl admits that “this list is not definitive it does provide a place to start looking for exposures while helping proprietors understand and manage the risks that many of them are often unaware of.” More importantly, understanding these risks has proved valuable in developing leisure and gaming risk solutions – from small bed and breakfast establishments, to mid size hotel operators, through to large scale leisure and gaming corporations. Given this experience the most important message that needs to go out ahead of 2010 is that the leisure and gaming industry should not try to avoid risk, instead “they can and should manage it” concludes van Zyl.
After all, “the MGM Grand fire in
As such larger overseas tour operators are sending their own assessors to
Foreign consultants are very strict and operate according to rigorous international standards. “Legal costs aside the kind of bookings that can be lost prior to 2010 should one fall foul of these standards can run into millions” says van Zyl. Whilecompliance withtheOccupational Health and Safety Act (and similar legislation in neighbouring countries)remains important“there are a host ofother risks which could threaten the security, safety, health or well being of patrons in, travelling to, and between, leisure establishments” warns van Zyl. These risks include: While van Zyl admits that “this list is not definitive it does provide a place to start looking for exposures while helping proprietors understand and manage the risks that many of them are often unaware of.” More importantly, understanding these risks has proved valuable in developing leisure and gaming risk solutions – from small bed and breakfast establishments, to mid size hotel operators, through to large scale leisure and gaming corporations. Given this experience the most important message that needs to go out ahead of 2010 is that the leisure and gaming industry should not try to avoid risk, instead “they can and should manage it” concludes van Zyl. Foreign consultants are very strict and operate according to rigorous international standards. “Legal costs aside the kind of bookings that can be lost prior to 2010 should one fall foul of these standards can run into millions” says van Zyl. Whilecompliance withtheOccupational Health and Safety Act (and similar legislation in neighbouring countries)remains important“there are a host ofother risks which could threaten the security, safety, health or well being of patrons in, travelling to, and between, leisure establishments” warns van Zyl. These risks include: While van Zyl admits that “this list is not definitive it does provide a place to start looking for exposures while helping proprietors understand and manage the risks that many of them are often unaware of.” More importantly, understanding these risks has proved valuable in developing leisure and gaming risk solutions – from small bed and breakfast establishments, to mid size hotel operators, through to large scale leisure and gaming corporations. Given this experience the most important message that needs to go out ahead of 2010 is that the leisure and gaming industry should not try to avoid risk, instead “they can and should manage it” concludes van Zyl.
As such larger overseas tour operators are sending their own assessors to
Foreign consultants are very strict and operate according to rigorous international standards. “Legal costs aside the kind of bookings that can be lost prior to 2010 should one fall foul of these standards can run into millions” says van Zyl. Whilecompliance withtheOccupational Health and Safety Act (and similar legislation in neighbouring countries)remains important“there are a host ofother risks which could threaten the security, safety, health or well being of patrons in, travelling to, and between, leisure establishments” warns van Zyl. These risks include: While van Zyl admits that “this list is not definitive it does provide a place to start looking for exposures while helping proprietors understand and manage the risks that many of them are often unaware of.” More importantly, understanding these risks has proved valuable in developing leisure and gaming risk solutions – from small bed and breakfast establishments, to mid size hotel operators, through to large scale leisure and gaming corporations. Given this experience the most important message that needs to go out ahead of 2010 is that the leisure and gaming industry should not try to avoid risk, instead “they can and should manage it” concludes van Zyl.
Foreign consultants are very strict and operate according to rigorous international standards.
“Legal costs aside the kind of bookings that can be lost prior to 2010 should one fall foul of these standards can run into millions” says van Zyl.
Whilecompliance withtheOccupational Health and Safety Act (and similar legislation in neighbouring countries)remains important“there are a host ofother risks which could threaten the security, safety, health or well being of patrons in, travelling to, and between, leisure establishments” warns van Zyl.
These risks include:
- Fire Safety
- Public legal liability including slips, falls, serious injury or even death of patrons
- Food and other hygiene risks, including food poisoning
- Theft of and damage to guest's property or company assets
- Power outages and water shortages or contamination
- Swimming pool and playground equipment safety, including gymnasiums and health spas
- Fraud involving front office procedures, food & beverage controls and finance
- Labour unrest and related risks
- IT risk exposures including loss of data and business continuity
- Loss of confidential information or inadvertent release of guest confidential information
- Emergency Preparedness including safe evacuation
While van Zyl admits that “this list is not definitive it does provide a place to start looking for exposures while helping proprietors understand and manage the risks that many of them are often unaware of.”
More importantly, understanding these risks has proved valuable in developing leisure and gaming risk solutions – from small bed and breakfast establishments, to mid size hotel operators, through to large scale leisure and gaming corporations.
Given this experience the most important message that needs to go out ahead of 2010 is that the leisure and gaming industry should not try to avoid risk, instead “they can and should manage it” concludes van Zyl.
