Assessing security measures in bed and breakfast organisations: a case study from Idutywa and Butterworth in the Eastern Cape Province

Abstract

This study seeks to highlight the safety and security risks encountered by the management, staff and guests in bed and breakfast (B&B) organisations, specifically in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. A perceived lack of security causes bed and breakfast establishments to be seen as easy targets for criminals, which makes these establishments the target of various types of crime and puts the guests’ and the bed and breakfasts’ assets at risk. Security has been recognised for a considerable period as an important need for strengthening the growth and expansion of the accommodation sector, but especially the bed and breakfast businesses in developing countries. This need for upgraded security systems has resulted in the decision of many bed and breakfasts to strengthen their security systems, which would promote industry development. The bed and breakfast sector plays an important role in the development of South Africa’s economy, with tourism capacity-building, creating employment, redistribution of income and encouraging local people to open small businesses. Tourism is regarded as one of the fastest-growing sectors in South Africa’s economy, highlighting the conditions that are important for the overall sustainability of the tourism business sector and should not be underestimated. However, the bed and breakfast establishments in South Africa are still struggling with a perceived lack of security within the business environment in relation to emerging security trends in the tourism sector. Nevertheless, the security state/situation of bed and breakfast establishments is moving into cybersecurity to ensure that staff and customer information and assets are protected. A qualitative methodology was employed to collect data from 8 selected B&Bs that would result in a narrative and form of interpretive practice. This methodology involved interviews in the form of meetings, writing notes, making voice recordings, and employing a naturalistic approach. This means that the phenomenon has been considered by the researcher in terms of physical settings and attempts to derive more understanding from the collected data. Qualitative research involves testing a subject through a theory. The investigation employed a case study research design at 8 selected bed and breakfast establishments in Idutywa and Butterworth in the Eastern Cape Province, examining their security systems. This is the first empirical investigation conducted in the study area for safeguarding assets, staff and guests, and to consider strategies of crime prevention in the bed and breakfast industry. To gain the attention of the relevant stakeholders in preventing crimes and incidents from happening in the bed and breakfast establishments, their effectiveness and operativeness had to be examined. The examination took the form of interviews as the data collection tool, which involved 20 research participants comprising security officers, bed and breakfast managers, staff, and guests at the selected bed and breakfast establishments in the study area. The investigation examined and documented the vital role played by security officers, staff and managers in the safeguarding of bed and breakfast assets, guests’ valuables. The study also investigated the impact of crimes and incidents that took place in the selected establishments, as well as identifying the criminals responsible for these crimes. The researcher employed an empirical study and investigation processes and procedures were followed. The aims and objectives of the study, as identified in Chapter 1, were met. These are highlighted in the participant responses presented in Chapter 4. The study revealed that while management of the bed and breakfasts was generally aware of possible criminal activities (theft, prostitution, arson) and had taken precautions to prevent these, much still needs to be done.