Destinations around the world are beginning to recognize the potential of a new market – a longer term visitor who is a hybrid remote worker and tourist.
Now that working from home, either full- or part-time has rapidly become accepted, and with everyone beginning to anticipate a time when we can safely travel, reports from trend watchers in the travel and destination marketing sectors are pointing to this new market.
If you can work anywhere – digital nomads and those who are already in the gig economy – why wouldn’t you work in a slice of paradise, whatever paradise means to you?
International destinations such as Bermuda and Barbados have launched special remote visa programs to entice visitors to stay longer and boost the tourist economy while setting up a remote working space for virtual work. Other regions have created special programs for remote workers or extended regulations for staying longer in a destination where you can work part of the day, then be a tourist.
Skift, a leader in research related to travel, sums up this coming trend as 2020 was the year the “travel sector pivoted to working remotely … into 2021, companies will need to optimize the remote working experience for their teams.”
Meet You in the Okanagan
The Okanagan is a sought-after destination for outdoor adventure with a growing culinary community and fantastic year-round experiences, and Penticton offers many perks for anyone looking to get away from the office you’ve had to set up in your home and get a change of scenery.
Already a remote worker? Penticton is open for business to set up your temporary office space here through coworking spaces or at a local hotel, motel, B&B, or even a campground. Work in the morning, then hike, bike, ski, or swim in the afternoon, explore the many nearby wineries, and finish your day at local bistro featuring Okanagan flavours.
In the hospitality business? Think about promoting your space as an option for remote workers if it’s a good fit. Upgrade your Wi-Fi, offer incentives for longer stays if you’re an accommodator, and create a comfortable, secure space for the remote worker tourist to stay a while.
National Geographic wonders if the office is obsolete. The traditional office as we knew it might be, and once travel begins to open, the “workaction” may be the best way to take your office to a new place to visit.
Suggested reading: The State of Tourism in Canada During COVID-19