In this 1TourismWorld session hosted by Ashly Pleasant of Weaver, Natily Santos, Vice President of Responsible Sourcing within Aramark and Avendra International, explains how responsible sourcing operates as a business critical strategy for hospitality procurement. Supply chain decisions touch guest experience, food quality, cost control, brand reputation, and the way leaders manage risk and resilience, so responsible sourcing becomes central to how hospitality organizations go to market.

Santos frames responsible sourcing as the driver for ESG considerations throughout supply chain and procurement, with sustainability embedded into supplier review, RFP design, and purchasing decisions. She emphasizes a governance model that validates supplier and product claims to reduce greenwashing risk, benchmarks shifting targets across clients and peers, and monitors external policy and regulatory changes that affect operations across markets. Technology becomes a requirement for credibility through measurable metrics, dashboards, and data attribution that enable accurate reporting and trusted storytelling.

The session explains how Avendra for Good structures practical execution through supplier education, issue and category analysis, and consultative client support. Inclusive sourcing and local procurement expand supplier networks that reflect the communities served, supported by reporting that tracks small, local, and diverse suppliers across multiple tiers. Sustainable sourcing focuses on high impact categories and critical issues that include climate, human rights, and deforestation, supported by supplier standards, verification, and continuous improvement through data driven decisions.