At the start of the pandemic, it was a frequently recurring call: support local entrepreneurs! Catering and retail stores had to close their doors for the first time and were at a loss. Support your locals was therefore the kind of movement that received acclaim in all corners of society.
Fortunately, the pandemic became a little less severe and the shops were allowed to open again. Now a few lockdowns further, most entrepreneurs have had to close their doors again. But the society-wide trend to remain loyal to them seems to have weakened.
For the local restaurant, boutique or bookshop, however, little has changed compared to previous closures: every day that the doors have to remain closed, they experience a lack of customers. That’s why in this blog: tips to support local entrepreneurs, both as a consumer and in the position of accommodation owner.
Support local entrepreneurs with your buying behavior
The pandemic and associated measures are likely to disrupt your routines as well. But how nice is it to enjoy a delicious dish from your favorite restaurant, especially when there is little that is possible? Many catering establishments offer the possibility to order food and pick it up or even have it delivered at home! When you are on a sustainable holiday , this way of supporting local entrepreneurs is also the ideal way to experience that holiday feeling.
When you finally have time in the evening to read that one book, order it at the local bookstore. Then you will probably receive it even earlier, because of the longer delivery times around the holidays at the larger online stores.
Tired of the streaming platforms, your daily walk or shopping in one of the few stores that are still open? Discover new things at local entrepreneurs, such as the spice shop where you can scoop herbs from around the world in your own bags or go for a coffee to go at a barista you’ve never visited before. It makes your brain happy when you do new things and at the same time you support local entrepreneurs: win-win!
Do you want to support local entrepreneurs right now that they are closed, without currently using their services or products? Then support local entrepreneurs by buying a gift voucher for a haircut, a three-course dinner or access to the wellness. With your purchase you generate income for the entrepreneur while you yourself or someone else can enjoy it later when the store can open its doors again.
How can you support local entrepreneurs as accommodation owners?
Although you can help local entrepreneurs in various ways as a consumer, this is also doable as a host in the tourism industry. Do you rent out a house and offer your guests breakfast? For example, see which products you can score locally and support local entrepreneurs. From bread, to fruit, jams and dairy products, it is often available nearby and is also appreciated by guests. The same goes for flowers: do you want to surprise your guests with a beautiful bunch of flowers? Find a local florist and avoid large online flower shops. In this way, in addition to supporting local entrepreneurs, you also offer your guests something extra.
Can people book their holidays with you, but you don’t offer meals? Even then, there are plenty of opportunities to support local entrepreneurs. You may want to take the time to redecorate the property or the grounds around it during the low season. Then buy the supplies at the local DIY store or call that private craftsman for help.
Do you currently see no opportunities to help local entrepreneurs yourself? Support local entrepreneurs indirectly by, for example, sharing their posts on social media or recommending their products to your guests!
Why buying local can also be more sustainable
Is sustainability an important aspect for you when purchasing? Support local entrepreneurs and pay close attention to sustainability, then you might just create a win-win situation. Buying or offering local food to your guests helps to protect small-scale farmland, where more genetically diverse crops are generally grown. This is better for the fertility of the soil and contributes to maintaining our food security in the future. Make sure you buy fruits and vegetables that are in season. If you buy your tomatoes locally in the winter, the environmental impact may be disappointing, because they are then grown in heated greenhouses. Curious about what’s in season now? View the seasonal vegetables from the Netherlands .
In addition, products that are locally made travel fewer transport kilometers, usually emitting a lot of CO2 and other air pollutants. In addition, the fuel saved means less consumption of fossil fuels, which also leave their mark on the environment.
For example, local purchases not only contribute to sustainability from a social aspect, but can also have a beneficial effect on the environment. With the tips in this blog we hope to inspire you to support entrepreneurs in your neighborhood. How do you support local entrepreneurs?
