Arabic version: ترافيلودج تعدل سياسة المفاتيح الرئيسية بعد حادثة اعتداء جنسي
Travelodge has announced immediate changes to its door key policy after a guest was sexually assaulted by a man who was mistakenly given access to her hotel room. Kyran Smith was jailed in February for seven-and-a-half years following the attack, which occurred in December 2022 at a Travelodge in Maidenhead, Berkshire. According to BBC News, the hotel chain’s chief executive Jo Boydell issued an apology to the victim and emphasized that future key cards would only be issued with the explicit consent of the room’s occupant.
The victim, who has chosen to remain anonymous, criticized Travelodge for its slow response and inadequate handling of the situation. Initially offered a £30 refund, she described this compensation as “insulting”. She expressed that the hotel had ample opportunity to address her concerns more effectively. Boydell acknowledged the company’s mistakes, stating, “We got things wrong and we should have acted sooner.”
In response to the incident, Travelodge has implemented a new policy requiring that any additional or replacement room keys be issued only with the permission of the registered guest. This change is being supported by training for the company’s 12,000 customer-facing staff. Boydell also mentioned that the company has commissioned an independent review of its room security measures to enhance guest safety.
The victim highlighted the importance of proper key issuance procedures and suggested that all hotel rooms should have additional security measures, such as door chains, to mitigate risks. Labour MPs Matt Bishop and Jen Craft have met with Boydell to discuss the hotel chain’s security protocols, emphasizing the need for a thorough internal review co-led by an expert in violence against women and girls.
Boydell has also requested a meeting with the safeguarding minister to further address these security concerns. The incident has sparked wider discussions about hotel safety and the protocols in place to protect guests from similar situations in the future.
