Covid-19 and Our Vendors in Bali
Posted by Elizabeth Baxter on
Known for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture and scenic landscapes Bali has always been a popular holiday destination. About 80% of Bali’s economy is tourism-related and just last year it had over six-million visitors. All that has changed, however. With the Covid-19 pandemic making travel impossible, the island has been hit particularly hard. What was once a highly prosperous industry is now practically non-existent and it doesn’t look like things will improve for awhile. International travellers won’t be able to enter the country until at least 2021 and even so, with the world in crisis it’s unlikely large numbers of travellers will be willing to vacation as bans are lifted.
In the meantime, it’s more important than ever that we continue to support our vendors. Jo, the owner of Suzie Blue Canada, has maintained a close and longstanding relationship with the artisans and makers she works with to bring beautiful jewelry from Bali. From the beginning she has made a point of choosing artisans she trusts and sticking with them. Since our first year in business she has worked with the same people year after year. For our vendors, this means guaranteed income, allowing them to support their families and invest in quality education for their children. That being said, makers heavily rely on the business of tourists. With the devastating effects Covid-19 has had on Bali’s tourism sector the bulk of our vendors haven’t even been able to reopen their storefronts.
Despite a lower demand for stock from most retailers due to the pandemic, Suzie Blue has made a commitment to continue importing jewelry and knitwear from Bali with our New Fall/Winter lines and restocks. Now, more than ever, we have a duty to stand by our artisans and continue to give them our business. Shopping ethically and with businesses that support their makers is one way you can help provide those hit hardest with the income they need.
Have any questions about the vendors we work with, or where we source our jewelry?
Feel free to email us at suziebluecanada@gmail.com
Want to read more about Covid’s impact on Bali?