Cambodia’s tourism-related small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are being invited to strengthen their post-pandemic resilience by signing up to free online learning modules on the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s (PATA) Sustainability Resource Centre (SRC) platform.

PATA has developed the new modules to improve tourism businesses' financial literacy and digital competency. The modules ‘Finance Skills for Tourism SMEs’ and ‘Digital Skills for Tourism SMEs’ are available for free on its SRC.

The modules form part of a collaboration with Visa to expand the Tourism Destination Resilience (TDR) programme. The previous focus of TDR was to increase resilience at the destination level, providing capacity building to Destination Management Organisations and all destination stakeholders. However, the new modules focus on supporting tourism SMEs.

Participants will receive a certificate upon completing the modules and passing the final quiz. Currently, the online modules are in English, but by the end of June will be available in Khmer.
"The Finance and Digital Skills modules are a great tool for small business owners or managers to develop or increase their skills in financial management and business digitalisation," said PATA Chairman, Peter Semone.

The new online learning modules will be used as a training tool for the in-person capacity-building sessions taking place in July. Kiripost/supplied

“The modules' aim is to provide SMEs with the necessary knowledge to successfully manage their business's finances and increase digital operations to become more efficient and, ultimately, more resilient to challenges and crises."
The Finance Skills for Tourism SMEs module covers a range of topics, such as budgeting, saving, record keeping and accounting; funding and loan options for SMEs; payment and banking services; how to manage a business's cash flow and prepare financial statements; and how to calculate products and services break-even points.

It also covers risk management for SMEs and financial benefits of business sustainability to further assist SMEs in their resilience-building process.
Patsian Low, Vice President of Inclusive Impact and Sustainability for Asia Pacific at Visa, said, "Visa is proud to continue collaborating with PATA by contributing our Practical Business Skills programmes to these new online learning modules.

“This content has been specifically designed to enable SMEs in the region to grow their financial knowledge and learn the critical digital business skills that will help them create sustainable and resilient businesses long into the future.”
The Digital Skills for Tourism SMEs module covers topics including business digitalisation; digital marketing, including how to build a website, how to promote on social media, email marketing, Google My Business, digital advertising and paid ads; digital payment options; how to set up online payments; and how to stay safe online and prevent identity theft, frauds and other cybercrimes.

Pavnesh Kumar, PATA's Sustainability and Social Responsibility Programme Head, said, "Tourism post-Covid-19 has become more digital than ever. The industry increasingly relies on technology and to stay competitive, tourism SMEs must adopt and make use of digital tools and platforms to reach customers, manage bookings and payments, and maintain operations. But it is also important to know how to stay safe and keep both businesses' and customers' data secure."
The new online learning modules will be used as a training tool for the in-person capacity-building sessions taking place in July. During the month, PATA will deliver training workshops across the region, including in Siem Reap.

More information on the Finance and Digital Skills modules and training programme for tourism SMEs will be announced soon. For any queries, contact ssr@PATA.org.

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marissa.carruthers@kiripost.com