Ethical Purchasing
Where possible, your business should always look to purchase local and fair-trade products and services to provide ideal opportunities to promote and facilitate sales for local vendors.
FAIRTRADE
A fair-trade certification is perhaps one of the most commonly recognised markers of a responsible supplier. Described as "a strategy for poverty alleviation and sustainable development", a fair-trade product should not only be produced ethically but also create opportunities for producers and workers who have been pushed aside by conventional trading systems. Any company whose development would benefit from fair access to markets under better trade conditions can join Fairtrade. Many products claim to be fair-trade but for the purpose of this initiative, only those certified with the Fairtrade logo can be considered.
LOCAL
Just as you expect the local community to support your business, the relationship should be mutually beneficial with your business looking for ways to support the local community. Using a local supplier will reduce the heavy financial and environmental costs resulting from importing and transporting products and allow the local economy to reinvest the tourist dollar in the region. Additionally, using locally produced goods can help create more jobs within the community and enhance a visitor's experience.
Integrate Ethics
- Define "local" in terms of the location of your business; consider ways you can give back to the local community in terms of supporting local service providers and products
- Use locally grown food and products including soap, uniforms, furnishings and stationary wherever possible
- Reinvest in the local community by ensuring the provider receives a higher percentage of the price paid for the product or service
Purchasing Policy