Responsible purchasing refers to the sourcing of products and services in a way that minimizes environmental and social impacts and keeps money circulating in the local community. Supporting local, combined with other responsible purchasing practices, can reduce emissions and waste, and can stimulate the local economy.
Local purchasing also allows for more supply chain transparency. Tourism businesses and organizations have a responsibility to confirm suppliers are in alignment with their values and do not contribute to unethical practices such as the exploitation of workers or human rights violations. This is easier to confirm when working with suppliers close to home.In the tourism industry, ethical considerations around supplier engagement with local communities, cultures and ecosystems are essential. Suppliers whose practices could be considered exploitative, culturally insensitive, or environmentally harmful should be avoided. Products and services should be affordable, competitive, and meet the operation’s needs.
The BCTSN Guide to Responsible Purchasing for Tourism Organizations covers several topics, including:
- An overview of responsible purchasing and some core criteria and best practices associated with it
- how to implement a responsible purchasing policy
- and the benefits of responsible purchasing for tourism businesses
Ready to learn more about responsible purchasing? Click the buttons above to download Guide 7 on Responsible Purchasing for Tourism Organizations, as well as the supporting resources.
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