At Taj Man Singh Hotel near Union Public Service Commission building, an armed policeman in a bulletproof vest stood with the four security guards at the main gate. Additional guards with rearview mirrors inspected the vehicles passing through the gate and demanded identity cards.

Contrary to the assumptions that guests in star hotels would be rushing back to the safety of their hometowns or countries, several guests said they would not change plans. They all agree, however, to have been “shaken up” by reports pouring from Mumbai.

A Russian guest at the Vasant Intercontinental in Vasant Vihar, Natasha Ulyanov, on a holiday in the Capital said, “I don’t mind the frisking as I understand the need for precautions. The Mumbai incident was unfortunate, the security arrangements here are fine. I think I will stay on.”

Another guest, Hashim Ali, an NRI from Sharjah, said, “I saw the news on TV and just can’t imagine what the victims must be going through. But I am here for business and can returnonly after my work gets over.”

It remains to be seen if the Mumbai attack has affected occupancy rates in hotels. Coleen Lobo, a spokesperson at the Hyatt Regency, said, “It is actually too soon to say how bad this crisis has hit us. Guests who had booked their rooms in advance checked in as usual. But theloss in attendance can only be estimated in a couple of days.”

The district police held meetings with the general managers and security officers at the star hotels on Thursday giving them security tips.