Frank Rojas is Business Development Manager - Hospitality & Gaming at Traka Americas. Image courtesy of Rojas

Bob McKee is President of Suprema Americas. Image courtesy of McKee

The first day of summer might be June 21, however the season of busy travel plans are already ramping up. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, the heightened activity will see many hotels and similar lodging accommodations with an increase in foot traffic to manage.

This season can be difficult for security teams, especially when considering visitor management.

Bob McKee, President of Suprema Americas, remarks, “It’s always challenging during peak travel months.” Hotels security can be overwhelmed by the higher number visitors, and the increased traffic, McKee explains, “creates more risk of somebody getting access without authorization.”

While the increase in guests presents unique obstacles, guests alone aren’t the only visitors hotel security must keep in mind.

“The volume of employees, vendors, and partners entering back of house areas increases dramatically, creating an environment where critical keys and assets are more vulnerable to misuse or mishandling,” points out Frank Rojas, Business Development Manager - Hospitality & Gaming, Traka Americas. “Even an accidental lapse can have serious consequences.”

By protecting these “back of house” areas, hotels can keep their property secured and guests safe. An effective visitor management program is a key step in achieving that.

McKee states, “A good visitor management system provides a means of pre-authorization, a vetting process for identification, and is integrated to an access control system. This will help in streaming authorized traffic into the facility.”

A streamlined visitor management process could also alleviate the burden of peak travel season from the security team, opening up their bandwidth to provide better protection and services for the guests.

To streamline this, Rojas insists the “most effective approach is to remove as much manual effort as possible while tightening control over who enters both back‑of‑house and guest areas”

“The goal is to create an environment where guests feel safe without feeling monitored.” -

“This begins with simplifying the intake process for employees, vendors, and partners so that access is fast, consistent, and requires minimal staff involvement,” Rojas continues. “Automating access control and key management is essential; systems that track, release, and return keys without manual oversight significantly reduce errors and free employees to stay focused on guest‑facing responsibilities. When security tools operate quietly in the background and staff are no longer burdened with manual checks or key distribution, the entire operation becomes more efficient. The result is a safer property, a supported workforce, and a smoother, more welcoming experience for guests who benefit from strong security without ever seeing the complexity behind it.”

The value of bolstering security cannot be overstated, especially when the result leads to improved guest safety. At the same time, some security measures can feel daunting to visitors, especially in hotels or other lodging accommodations where homeliness and comfort should define the experience.

“The goal is to create an environment where guests feel safe without feeling monitored,” Rojas points out.

In the event that a hotel’s lobby shares some overlap with “back of house” functions, how can organizations balance visitor management with a positive guest experience?

“This balance is achieved by using discreet but effective security measures and enforcing strong access control in back‑of‑house areas where risk is highest,” Rojas states. “Well-trained administrators and staff that ensure safety measures feel like part of the hospitality experience rather than an interruption. When supported by smart automation and technology that handles the heavy lifting behind the scenes, security becomes seamless, privacy is respected, and the overall guest experience is strengthened.”

As weather warms up and more travelers go on business trips and adventures alike, they are counting on the rooms they stay in to be safe. By securing “back of house” areas, hotels can ensure their facilities are protected, operational, and welcoming to all who walk through the doors.

“Security and operational efficiency are the foundation of a successful operation that prioritizes the guest experience,” Rojas concludes. “When both are aligned, properties can protect their assets, support their staff, and create an environment where guests feel safe, confident, and fully cared for.”