A photograph accompanying the report on the Hotel Industry Safety and Security Watch Group's counter-terrorism seminar showed an auditorium with many empty seats (Keeping hotel secure and guests happy; May 20).

What is worrying is that quite a number of these seats, including in the front row, were vacant. These seats are usually reserved for the top officials.

In today's security environment, the police and Singapore Civil Defence Force should be congratulated for playing their part in SGSecure by organising the seminar.

Reports from neighbouring countries and other parts of the world show that hotels are frequently the target of attacks.

The laissez-faire attitude shown by the non-attendance at this counter-terrorism seminar is a cause for concern.

We must never take security for granted.

Ronnie Lim Ah Bee