Lately, the European continent has found itself among popular destinations for digital nomads who are getting rid of the chains of location-based work thanks to the new remote work trend that seems to be sticking. The tourism industry has been growing as the number of people working while traveling increases every year.
Portugal, Spain, and Greece have successfully turned into must-see places for a digital nomad. There, people are offered not only cheap staying options but also good Internet, free WiFi zones, and programs permitting long-term residence for remote tech employees.
Lisbon is the most attractive city for remote workers as it has the best infrastructure that digital nomads need to become productive. This city is home to a multitude of coworking spaces and seminar and seminar-cum-vacation experiences as well as having rich cultural heritage ideal for those who work remotely.
After all, Spain has introduced recently some schemes aimed at luring digital nomads to the country. The visa allows foreign remote workers with a job to live and work legally as well as contribute to the local economy.
The situation in Greece resembles somewhat a paradise for remote workers. The countries of the Balkans may attract people who want stability, social protection, and a modern living standard.
Apart for the essential cafés, restaurants, and nightlife, coworking and coliving spaces are getting more and more popular in cities all around Europe. A lot of venues have already been converted into hybrids that offer top-notch accommodations, as well as unique workspaces for digital nomads.
Eastern Europe is becoming a goldmine too. A few, but not too many, cities are steadily joining in the long rent race. They are the bright spots of Europe on the remote worker map: cheap living expenses, great TV, and, Internet and start-up ecosystem.
The ascending phase of digital nomadism is having a far-reaching influence on the tourist sector in a positive way. Widespread commercial practice is in place to meet the demand of business people who need a long-term service, to stay in different places, or use some exclusive facilities, catering to virtual workers’ needs.
Now, most hospitality brands are switching to work-friendly environments. However, most hotels and Airbnb hosts are offering dedicated workspaces, high-speed internet, and extended stay discounts, as these are the three commodities that allow digital nomads to retreat.
So far, tourism boards have been running campaigns in order to attract people from home who have the conditions to function. Besides the fact that governments and companies are working together to suggest places for digital nomads that have a work-life balance, but still make it a leisure place except for just work.
On this new journey of digitalization, European cities are changing their infrastructure. The increased number of free Wi-Fi-enabled cafes and parks to work in, as well as the growth of coworking hubs as a response to the rising demand for flexible work environments.
Local economies are being energised by the digital nomads. This what they do, stay longer in destinations, therefore, they become a resource for restaurants, cafes, and other businesses which help to make the city and small town grow economically.
Of course, visa programs for digital nomads will grow. For example, countries in Europe such as Spain and Italy have been able to issue certificates for remote freelancers to be CYA compliant, contributing tax-wise as well as expenditure in the local area.
One of the predominant signs of the change is this concept of workstation. It is not uncommon for many folks to meld work with travel by selecting panoramas that they could easily do the work during the day and walk around in nature at night time.
Alongside these developments, technology is a major driver in the growth of digital nomadism. The work-from-anywhere trend is being facilitated mainly by high-speed internet connectivity, fantastic online collaboration tools, and companies that embrace remote work.
However, issues particularly connected with visa restrictions, the risk to the resources of some tax imposition, and access to healthcare pose recurrently treacherous predicaments to digital nomads that have to deal with them locally.
Digital nomads are being accepted by local communities. Some cities are suffering a rise in the cost of rent because of the demand, while other cities can have a boost in economic status by having remote workers staying longer in the city.
Digital nomad culture has a significant impact. For example, diversity is created by remote workers in communities, which then opens the door for cultural exchange, new business ideas, and international collaborations.
More and more European countries are realizing the potential of the tourism industry of digital nomads. Through the implementation of policies that support remote working, these countries can not only attract the best specialists but also help their tourism sectors to grow.
The future of digital nomad tourism is very bright. When remote work gets more common, a lot more professionals will be looking for travel flexibility and, thus, the European tourism landscape will be shaped accordingly.
