MUSCAT -- All InterCont-inental Group Hotels in Oman, the Al Bustan Palace, the InterContinental Muscat, Crowne Plaza Muscat, Crowne Plaza, Salalah, and the Holiday Inn Muscat, are to move their procuring process online via "Tejari Transact." At a signing ceremony at the InterContinental, Muscat yesterday A Antonio Zamora, IHG"s Director of Operations in Oman and General Manager of the AL Bustan Palace said 'In our efforts to streamline the purchasing process and provide a more efficient and automated online system, IHG"s 5 hotels in Oman have been given an opportunity by Tejari to facilitate our procurement through it's Tejari website".
He added "Such e-procurement initiatives in the hospitality industry are a first in Oman, and IHG is honoured to be the first hotel company in Oman to take the lead in association with Tejari". Shaikh Mohammed al Harthy, Managing Director of Omania e-Commerce LLC said: "It is an immense honour to welcome a new member to our online community. IHG is the world's largest hotel company and will definitely add value to Tejari's on line market place. At the same time we are very confident that IHG will reap the benefits they seek".
At a press briefing he said that his organisation , which started operating here in Oman about a year ago was growing rapidly, expanding it's membership base, helping members to cut costs and improving both the transparency and reach of transactions. Responding to questions IHG Group's Tony Zamora said that the new e-facility would be able to increase the quality of service to guests without any increased cost.
The quotation procedure for goods and services would be reduced in terms of time and there would be the opportunity to choose from a wider range of suppliers. "The transparency of the system and the sealed bid will all be securely recorded and there will be no arguments," he said." We also expect a 10 per cent saving in bidding costs," he added.
By Maurice Gent
© Oman Daily Observer 2007
