Travel is often seen as a gateway to the soul of a place. Beyond the monuments and postcard-perfect views, the true heartbeat of any destination lies in its people—the street vendors, artisans, and local guides who bring color and character to our journeys. But what happens when these unsung heroes of travel remain invisible to the world’s financial and digital systems?
This is the story of Aléxís, a digital nomad, and Mariano, a local guide in Port Harcourt, whose paths crossed in the thriving streets of the Creek Road Market. Together, they discovered how blockchain technology could transform the lives of informal workers while giving travelers like Aléxís a new way to connect with and give back to the communities they explore.
The First Encounter: A Journey Begins
Aléxís was no stranger to adventure. Her latest stop, Port Harcourt, was a dream come true: a labyrinth of vibrant souks, the call to prayer echoing through the air, and the intoxicating aroma of spices. But something about her travels always bothered her. Despite her deep love for the cultures she visited, she often felt disconnected from the people whose work made these experiences possible.
Let's talk about Mariano, a young local guide. His knowledge of the city was unmatched; he knew the best hidden spots for mint tea, the artisans who hand-dyed fabrics, and the stories behind every twist and turn of the Creek Road Market.
However, like many informal workers, Mariano faced challenges. His work was off the books, meaning no formal earnings record, no access to loans to grow his business, and no safety net if things went south.
A Chance Meeting in Port Harcourt
Aléxís had spent the past few months hopping from one country to another. As a digital nomad, her laptop was her office, and Wi-Fi was her lifeline. Her current destination was Port Harcourt. Mariano was a whirlwind of colors, scents, and sounds.
On her first day in the city, she met Mariano, a cheerful local guide who offered her an authentic tour of the Port Harcourt Tourist Beach. Mariano wasn’t part of any agency. He had built his reputation by word of mouth, relying on cash payments and customer trust. But like many informal workers, his work left no digital footprint. He couldn’t access loans to expand his services or secure insurance to protect his livelihood.
Over cups of mint tea, Mariano shared his dreams. He wanted to expand his tour offerings, perhaps even hire others to work with him. But without collateral or a digital presence, the traditional systems shut him out. Aléxis, being familiar with blockchain technology, saw an opportunity.
“What if you could use blockchain to showcase your work, attract clients, and even get investments?” she asked.
Mariano was intrigued but confused. “Blockchain? Isn’t that for cryptocurrency?”
Aléxís smiled. “It’s much more than that. Let me explain.”
The Blockchain Solution
Aléxís explained how Mariano could use blockchain to transform his work:
1. Digital Profiles:
Using a blockchain platform, Mariany could create a profile to document his tours, earnings, and customer reviews. This would act as a transparent record of his success.
2. Tokenized Tours:
He could offer tokens that travelers could buy in advance to book tours or invest in his business. These tokens would represent a form of trust and upfront support.
3. Access to DeFi:
With his digital profile, Mariano could apply for microloans on blockchain-based platforms to grow his business.
4. Insurance:
Blockchain-based insurance pools could protect him against risks, giving him peace of mind.
A Tokenized Travel Experience
Aléxís decided to try Mariano’s tokenized model. She purchased a token for an exclusive sunrise tour of the Port Harcourt Tourist Beach. Mariano, armed with the upfront payment, rented a vehicle for the first time, a huge step up from his usual walking tours. The experience was magical, and Aléxís realized she was directly contributing to Mariano’s growth while getting a unique, personalized travel experience in return.
This small interaction opened doors Mariano had never imagined. As more travelers began to buy tokens, he used the funds to hire his cousin, a skilled but underemployed guide. With blockchain, Marinao wasn’t just surviving; he was expanding fast.
Blockchain and the Informal Economy: A New Frontier
Aléxís’s and Marinao’s story highlights a broader trend: the potential of blockchain to empower informal workers globally. In the past, informal workers like Mariano were trapped in cycles of exclusion. Traditional systems demanded documentation, collateral, or expensive intermediaries and barriers they couldn’t overcome. But blockchain changes everything.
1. Transparency:
Every transaction Mariano made, whether selling tokens or paying his cousin, was recorded immutably on the blockchain. This built trust with travelers and investors.
2. Accessibility:
Decentralized finance (DeFi) allowed Mariano to apply for a microloan using his token sales and earnings history as collateral.
3. Community Ownership:
Token holders became Mariano’s ambassadors, sharing his story and encouraging others to support him.
A New Way to Travel: For the People, By the People
Aléxís began to see her travels differently. By engaging with Mariano’s tokenized system, she wasn’t just a visitor but a participant in the local economy. She connected with other travelers who had bought Marinao’s tokens, sharing stories of how their contributions made a tangible impact. This model, Aléx realized, could be replicated worldwide. From farmers offering farm-to-table experiences in Vietnam to artisans teaching traditional weaving in Peru, blockchain could turn travel into a force for empowerment.
The Base Technology Advantage
1. Scalability and Low-Cost Transactions
Base Tech, a blockchain ecosystem built on Ethereum, provides a platform optimized for handling many transactions simultaneously. This ensures lower transaction fees, making it affordable for small businesses like Mariano’s to tokenize their services without worrying about high costs.
For example, if Mariano tokenizes his tours, the Base platform ensures the cost of minting and transferring tokens is minimal, enabling more travelers to participate without financial strain.
2. Tokenization Made Simple
Tokenization involves creating digital tokens representing an asset or service, like Mariano offering tokens for his tours. Through Base, setting up tokens is streamlined, requiring only basic steps. Mariano uses the Coinbase Wallet, a user-friendly tool, to store his tokens securely and transact with travelers.
Coinbase Wallet allows him to:
> Access his funds easily.
> Send and receive payments in real-time without relying on intermediaries.
> Showcase his business’s performance through transaction records on the blockchain.
3. Accessibility for All
Base is designed to be inclusive, ensuring even people with limited technical expertise or poor internet connectivity can join. Its simplicity means that Mariy, or any informal worker, only needs a smartphone and Coinbase wallet to participate. Through the wallet, Mariano can receive payments, record transactions immutably, and even connect with decentralized financial services (DeFi) for microloans or savings.
Real-Life Benefits
> Affordable Fees: Without high costs, Mariano keeps more of his earnings.
> Secure Storage: Coinbase Wallet ensures his funds and tokens are protected.
> Growth Opportunities: Using Base, Mariano builds a transparent financial history, enabling him to apply for DeFi microloans to grow his business.
Traveling Onchain: The Future of Ethical Tourism
Imagine a world where every traveler could directly support the people who make their journeys unforgettable. Where street food vendors, musicians, and craftspeople could access global markets and financial systems through blockchain.
This is the vision of traveling on chain. It’s not just about technology; it’s about humanity. It’s about creating connections, fostering dignity, and ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach those who need it most.
For Aléxís, Marinao’s token wasn’t just a way to pay for a tour; it was a passport to a more meaningful travel experience.
For Mariano, blockchain wasn’t just a tool; it was a lifeline. As they parted ways, Aléxís promised to spread the word. And Marinao? He had his eyes set on expanding his business to other Port Harcourt cities, armed with the knowledge that he could dream bigger than ever before.
Your Journey Awaits
Travel is about more than seeing new places; it’s about connecting with the people who make those places special. With blockchain, we can transform tourism into a force for good, empowering informal workers and enriching the traveler’s experience.
Are you ready to travel onchain? The future is here, and it’s waiting for you to take the first step.
And by the way, I’m Mariano—the once invisible local guide whose life changed through blockchain. This is my story, but it could be yours too. Let’s travel onchain, together.
