Protecting guest safety: 'Do Not Disturb' signs may disappear

Many travelers staying at hotels may hang up the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on their door to avoid being disturbed by hotel staff. However, these signs may soon become a thing of the past. A number of international hotels have decided to replace the 'Do Not Disturb' sign with an 'Occupied' sign, asserting their right to enter rooms to inspect them and ensuring that staff can indicate entry when necessary.

According to a report by CNN Money, Disney — which owns multiple hotels and theme parks — has already replaced 'Do Not Disturb' signs with 'Occupied' signs in hotels near its Florida resorts. Disney officials stated that staff will always knock before entering a room and emphasized that this measure is intended to ensure both guest and hotel safety, as well as to facilitate room cleaning.

Additionally, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, a global hotel chain, changed its policy last November. It now advises staff to report any room displaying a 'Do Not Disturb' sign for over 24 hours, and grants supervisors the right to enter such rooms.

These changes are speculated to be linked to the October 2017 mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas. The gunman had checked into a hotel and used the 'Do Not Disturb' sign to smuggle firearms into his room during his stay. From a 32nd-floor room, he opened fire on the crowd, killing 58 people.

As a result, many hotels have decided to revise their policies. Some require rooms with 'Do Not Disturb' signs displayed for two consecutive days to be inspected, or instruct staff to perform routine checks within 12 hours. While such measures may seem to infringe on guest privacy, more hotels are adopting them to prevent further tragedies and ensure safety.