PATA and Visa’s Informal Workers Programme Came to an End

Visa and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), are pleased to announce the successful completion of the Informal Workers Programme at Bali, Indonesia.

This program was established in 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It supports one of the most important, but often forgotten, stakeholders in the tourism sector: informal workers. After a successful implementation in Bangkok, Thailand, PATA, Visa teamed up to expand the program in Indonesia.

It was held in Bali in March and April, and will continue in Jakarta in the May. The first capacity building session took place in Bali at Kedonganan Beach south of the island on International Women's Day (March 8). This session was attended 24 informal workers including street food sellers and freelance photographers as well as parking attendants, fishermen, and parking attendants. Participants were taught about the basics of service delivery, cross-cultural communication, as well as safety and health standards.

The informal workers were given training in business skills, financial management, and communication. To better market their products and services online, they also learned how to take mobile photos.

PATA and Visa developed the Informal Workers Program in Indonesia and Wise Steps Consulting implemented it. Wise Steps Consulting is a national consulting firm that supports sustainable development and responsible tourist.

Peter Semone (PATA Chair) stated that "We are delighted to be collaborating with Wise Steps again following the successful development and implementation of the Tourism Destination Resilience Programme. PATA sees great value in building the capacity of informal workers in Indonesia and across the Pacific Asia Region. After all, tourism is everybody's business and with improved skills, livelihoods of marginalized people can grow."

Riko Abdurrahman from Visa Indonesia Country Manager Indonesia, said: "Visa is proud to provide digital literacy and financial education specifically tailored to the needs of informal tourism workers, such as tour guides and transport drivers, who are an integral part of Bali's tourism industry. As travel and tourism continue to accelerate post-COVID-19, our partnership with PATA will help enable individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive and deliver on our purpose to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid."

Pavnesh Kumar (PATA's Sustainability and Social Responsibility Programme Director), attended the Bali programme and noted that "We are very excited to be able to assist in the recovery of the tourism sector in Bali by empowering these crucial players in the industry, which are the informal workers. It is also great to see that despite all challenges faced during this time, the informal workers are enthusiastic about learning new skills and reinventing themselves for the post-COVID tourism era."

Source: breakingtravelnews.com