A lack of service, knowledge and efficiency in the local hotel supply market is causing Middle Eastern hoteliers to turn to international suppliers, according to several Australian-based companies.
“Hoteliers still need their service expectations met so most are willing to buy direct in many instances from overseas companies, saving them time, money and some frustration,” said Australian-based Global Chef founder and CEO Tim Grubi.
Casual Furniture International VP international operations Antony Guss added that until recently the regional market was oversupplied, but after viewing this year’s smaller The Hotel Show in Dubai, he believed buyers were returning and giving business to the best-established, international companies.
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“In many cases there is a limited stockholding of even the most commonly-used brands of glassware, chinaware, kitchen ware and bar supplies,” said Australian-based Delta Hospitality Supplies managing director Tony McCarthy.
“Our business offers a range of more than 10,000 products and we keep more than 1500 of the most commonly-ordered products in stock,” he added.
According to Hilton Dubai Jumeirah executive housekeeper Asif Khatri, the long delivery periods for orders is one of the largest downfalls of regional suppliers.
“We use local suppliers, but we know the time from order to delivery will take six months and so we have to order things that much in advance because local companies do not keep items in stock,” Khatri said.
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