Slowly but surely, supply chains and procurement practices are taking their rightful place on hospitality's sustainability agendas. For too long, the negative environmental and socio-economic impacts linked to the industry's procurement practices have remained unnoticed, overlooked and, ultimately, accepted. Whether food and beverages (F&B), furniture, fixture and equipment (FF&E), operational supply and equipment (OS&E), utilities or services, there is room for improvement in every stage and in every area. In a highly competitive market such as the hotel industry, decision are often driven by cost efficiency. As a consequence, supply chains are often oriented towards the lowest wages and cheapest materials, especially in regards to OS&E and FF&E. What are the key objectives steering procurement practices in hotels today and tomorrow? Which measures have shown great results and how can improvements be tracked? What does a sustainable supply chain management mean to you and your organisation? And, what role do guests play in supporting sustainable procurement practices?

Andreas Koch
Andreas Koch
Managing Director at blueContec GmbH

Indeed, supply chains and procurement practices were under der radar for very long. Interestingly, this pandemic showed how interconnected we are: Any major event on the other side of the world is influencing our business/destination and the other way round. The more local, the more human, the more sustainable supply chains are, the more resilient. This is one main learning from this crisis. But there is so much more in it: Supply chains and procurement policies are - from my perspective - the most underestimated strategic business field in any tourism development. A systematic sustainable and conscious choice of suppliers not only minimises risks and increases resilience, but also inherit a fully underestimated potential to create unique marketing themes, unique employer branding and training opportunities and unique authentic experiences.

We need a new quality definition in tourism: Quality should be defined as relational quality with all important tourism stakeholders, not only tourists. These should include the positive relationship with employees, residents and most important also suppliers. THIS is true sustainability, when we co-create the future of our tourism business and our destination with all these actors...and those, who have done this already, are the ones, who were least affected by this crisis. As such it is the best way to become successful and commonly create the future we all want to live in.

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