I’ve been reflecting how common sense is, well, sensible.
I’m thinking specifically of the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce Love thy Neighbour campaign called Buy North East is sensible.
In my days as a hotel manager we had a policy of buying in the locally, and if not available then regionally, and then nationally.
Supporting local providers is good in an economic multipler sense (generating jobs and income in the local economy), but also give us in tourism/hospitality a marketing advantage.
Local food produce featuring on menus, you just can’t beat it. And we’ve great produce: fruit and berries, beef, fish, tatties, the list goes on.
A great case study is NorthLink Ferries with their strong commitment to local procurement and the benefits that this gives to not only the business but also the local communities in the Grampian, Orkney, Shetland and Caithness regions of Scotland.
Peter Hutchison of NorthLink Ferries tells us 85% of their vessels’ supplies come from within 50 miles of the ports in the region, and 90% of their requirements for “hotel services” – food, drink, retail goods and services such as laundry – are met from within Scotland.
Two weeks ago representatives from the Aberdeen City and Shire Hotel Association joined Fiona from NorthLink Ferries (who hosted the event) on a “learning journey” to Shetland. It was great to meet our northerly neighbours and enjoy their enthusiasm for their produce.
As an outcome of the trip we hope to welcome more of our friends from up north to the city of Aberdeen, and hotels will feature some high quality Shetland produce we sampled… or saw in the raw state.
And this thinking is contagious. We can do more. As hoteliers and restaurants there are more win-win situations we can secure. Our hospitality offering, even when operating under an international brand can carry a local or regional “flavour” and colour.
As we nut out what actually is this new niche of Food Tourism and how we can, if you pardon the pun, cater for it, the one thing I know is we are well placed to compete with our fare and offering.
So, don’t just love thy neighbour, buy from him.
Bio: Andrew Martin
Andrew Martin has worked for two UK national companies, and was Swallow Hotels youngest ever General Manager. He went on to hold the post of Hotel General Manager in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Preston.
During his hotel career Andrew specialised in HR (personnel related issues) and Marketing.
After joining the Robert Gordon University Andrew was appointed Director of the Scottish Centre of Tourism, and has undertaken research in diverse areas like peripheral tourism, skills gaps in the hotel industry and Whisky tourism.
Andrew has advised the Scottish government on Tourism matters, including a competitive strategy of VisitScotland. He has addressed the recent Parliamentary Committee Enquiry into Tourism.
