It’s not news that the 9-5 is no longer the norm, and that remote work is taking over as the new standard! In fact, ‘digital nomads’ – another term for remote workers – was coined in the 1990s, as improving technology was hypothesized to allow people to work from ‘anywhere’.
And as of 2022, there were approximately 35 million digital nomads around the world, 16% of global companies are 100% remote, and 76% of respondents to a 2022 TravelPerk survey said their company had shifted to hybrid models. This means not only are the ways that business clients travel are changing, but it changes the way that day-to-day travellers who may have been restricted by that rigid 9-5 office job are now more liberated to work, and therefore travel, wherever they want.
Of course, this means that in an already fast-changing industry you as travel advisors must be prepared to cater for the remote worker and the impact that remote working is having on business and leisure travel - and especially how they’re not as dissimilar as they once were.
One of the best ways for you to keep an eye on the travel trends in your market is by using our powerful search and marketing tool The Compass! Exclusively for our registered partners, this AI-driven tool allows you to see what your competitors are booking within your market, and lets you forecast trends up to nine months in the future!
But for now, let’s look at where today’s remote worker is looking to travel, and how you can capitalize on this!
2022 saw the rise of the term ‘bleisure’ travel - a unique reference to the merging of business and leisure travel as a result of increased remote working, but also due to the fact that business travellers are combining corporate trips with leisure travel much more often. This is, among other factors, largely down to the restricted opportunities available to business travellers at the height of COVID-19.
Not only this, but leaders of Marriott International suggested that the rise of blended travel during 2022 is expected to continue, and accelerate, well into 2023 and beyond. Travel behaviours have changed, and it is becoming increasingly more difficult for those within the hotel industry in particular to estimate whether its guests are in ‘business’ or ‘leisure’ mode just using previous indicators like booking times.
The long-term impact on the travel industry as a result of more blended travel means that everyone from travel providers to hoteliers will need to consider how to accommodate an audience for whom the lines between business and leisure travel are increasingly blurred.
And of course, this simultaneously will impact where travellers will go for work, how long they will travel for, and how often - which is critical to consider when conducting your consultations. Using our exclusive search and marketing tool The Compass also lets you see where competitors are booking for travellers in your market, so that you can adjust your approach accordingly and capitalize on upcoming and current trends!
Now we understand that remote working is changing how travellers, both business and leisure go on trips, now it’s time to know where in the world is best suited for remote workers. As one of the top travel trends for 2023, it’s important to know where to recommend for this all-important travel profile.
Nomadlist recently identified its top ten destinations for remote workers based on growth in popularity over the last five years; though the most significant increase in visitors to these countries occurred between 2021-2023.
Notably, Japan has secured three of the top ten spots which suggests that this is a key destination to promote for 2023, and it's a perfect time considering Japan’s doors are now open to international travellers for the first time in three years. Momondo also came up with an interesting list of global destinations for remote workers which included Portugal, Spain, Germany and Japan.
So, let’s take a look at some of these most popular destinations!
Visas available: Tourist visa
For a lot of the traditional workplaces in Japan, remote working isn’t the norm - around 10% of the country worked remotely before the pandemic and this increased to only 20% during COVID-19. However, for remote working clients looking to utilize that ‘work from anywhere’ status, Japan is one of the best countries to do so. More affordable than many travellers would first think with modern infrastructure, great nightlife and a rich culture, Japan is a remote workers’ dream.
As Japan’s capital city, Tokyo boasts thousands of shops, cafes offering free wifi, coworking opportunities, exquisite cuisine and a neon-lit nightlife that never sleeps - more than enough for digital nomads to keep occupied during down-time hours. Plus it’s a traveller’s dream hub with quick, clean and reliable public transport to just about anywhere in the country.
Frequently cited as one of the world’s most livable cities, Osaka has a slightly more relaxed and friendly atmosphere than that of Tokyo, which would suit remote working clients who love the city but want things a touch slower paced. But for your clients who prefer the quieter side of life, Kyoto is Osaka’s more peaceful sister city. While there are many tourist hotspots, such as the iconic Kyoto Temple, the overall atmosphere here is calm, much more like that of a countryside town - however coworking places are a little harder to come by.
Visas available: New workcation visa set to launch in 2023
With two brand new visas announced for 2023 - the K-Culture and Workcation visas - South Korea is becoming a much more viable option for remote workers! While details of these visas are yet to be confirmed, their implementation would open the doors of South Korea to a whole host of new remote workers who may not have had the opportunity to visit for longer periods of time previously.
The new workcation visa is said to allow foreign nationals the chance to experience life in South Korea for two years while working. The Korean government has also announced plans to improve the current online travel authorization process (known as K-ETA) to make it easier for visitors to enter and leave the country.
And with a widespread growth in popularity of Korean culture and entertainment - termed 'Hallyu' - there has never been a better time for you to organise a long-term stay for your remote working clients in this beautiful, richly cultured country. Plus, South Korea is the perfect place for remote workers, with easily available internet, plenty of cafes, shops and places for remote workers to stay and work as well as a vibrant pop-culture atmosphere and nightlife especially in the capital city, Seoul. Not to mention the ease of traveling to stunning destinations like Jeju Island and Busan from Seoul using its many public transport links!
Visas available: Temporary Stay Visa (designed for remote workers specifically)
For remote workers who have easy access to Europe (and even those who don’t, for those serious about working anywhere) Portugal is a great place to get away and experience some new surroundings while working that ‘9-5’.
Lisbon in particular, has grown in popularity with workcation travellers in the last few years; which is not surprising considering the cost of living is slightly cheaper than other countries in Europe while simultaneously providing plenty of cafes with strong internet connections. And of course, Lisbon itself is a popular, vibrant European city, with a rich nightlife culture, great food and stunning cityscapes - and it’s also one of the only European capitals to be flanked by beaches, which is a bonus for any traveller.
Plus, on the more practical side, Portugal has a NHR (non-habitual resident) program, which gives remote workers favourable tax rates during their stay in the country. Lisbon was also voted as the most popular place to work remotely in 2022, which just cements its status as one of the best cities to live and work for your remote working clients!
Visa options: Freelancer visa (though this does have restrictions)
When it comes to ranking factors like cybersecurity, cost of living, and digital and physical infrastructure, there aren’t many countries that can out-do Germany - especially in the battle for the title of ‘best place for remote working’ in 2023.
Being part of central Europe, Germany is a great hub for remote workers looking for a place with a great remote working scene already (specifically for international workers), coworking opportunities, and plenty of busy, attractive cities. Berlin in particular has a thriving arts and culture scene, with a welcoming atmosphere perfect for international visitors. However, when it comes to visas specifically for digital nomads, these can be a little tricky to obtain for non-Europeans, and is restricted to what the country deems ‘liberal’ professions - so your clients will need to do a little research before committing to this country!
Visa options: Digital nomad visa (in development), or using the Startup Act
Many destinations in Spain are becoming increasingly popular for remote workers, and from the island-living atmosphere of Mallorca surrounded by the Mediterranean to the urban buzz of Barcelona and Valencia, this is certainly no surprise. In fact, Barcelona made the top 10 in the list of most visited locations in 2022 by remote workers, which speaks volumes to its appeal! Mallorca, Gran Canaria, and Tarifa are best for sun-seeking beach lovers, while Valencia, Barcelona, and Granada are perfect for culture aficionados.
As well as the bustling cities mentioned, Spain benefits remote workers who enjoy quieter locations with high-speed internet connections even in more rural towns; many of which offer original programs to attract new residents to supplement dwindling populations.
Visa options: ESTA for up to 90 days (multiple entry)
Considering the breadth and sheer scope of the USA, it’s impossible to create a list of the best destinations for digital nomads in 2023 without including this behemoth of a continent with each of its 50 states all offering unique cultures and opportunities.
In fact, a recent study by SmartAsset rated 100 cities and curated the top 10 best places for remote workers in the USA, to determine where in this vast country has the best opportunities for the WFH nation. Of these 100, the city that came out leader of the pack was Austin, Texas, with around 39% of its population already working from home. A vibrant, creative hub (with no state income tax) Austin is a perfect destination for remote workers looking for somewhere welcoming and affordable.
Other cities that made the list included Arizona’s Scottsdale and Mesa, Pittsburgh in Philadelphia (noted for its affordable housing and incredibly high coffee shop and bar density) - Nashville in Tennessee, and Durham and Charlotte in North Carolina. These were selected after analysing numerous practical factors like housing costs, income, unemployment as well as coffee shop and bar density (which for travellers is the fun part) to see where offers the best opportunities for the digital nomad.
Of course, there are many destinations for remote workers that provide amazing backdrops during laptop time, these are just a few of the most popular!
But to easily book your clients' perfect remote working escape with their unique preferences in mind, why not browse from our global portfolio on our Booking Engine using the destinations in this article as a starting point?
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What's shaping the world of travel in 2023? Find out with our travel trends guide!
⭐ Where your customers will want to travel in 2023
⭐ The accommodation trends you need to know
⭐ Rising trends, including luxury and sustainable travel
⭐ And the types of experiences your clients are thinking of booking!
Download the guide for more!
