Emergent geographies of digital nomadism: conceptual framing, insights and implications for tourism

Emergent geographies of digital nomadism: conceptual framing, insights and implications for tourism

02 Jan 2024 | Olga Hannonen
The article explores the concept of digital nomadism through a geographical lens, emphasizing the role of place in shaping digital nomadic mobilities. Digital nomadism, a lifestyle involving remote work while traveling, has gained significant attention since the COVID-19 pandemic. It is characterized by a blend of work and travel, with individuals often seeking affordable destinations to reduce living costs. The term 'digital nomad' encompasses both work and travel aspects, and digital nomads are often seen as highly mobile professionals who work remotely and travel frequently. The article discusses the concept of 'workcation,' a hybrid of work and vacation, where individuals travel to a vacation location to work. It also highlights the phenomenon of 'geoarbitrage,' where digital nomads move to cheaper destinations to live more affordably. The article examines the impact of digital nomadism on destinations, noting both positive and negative effects, such as economic benefits and potential gentrification and displacement of local communities. Digital nomadism has led to the development of specific visa schemes aimed at attracting these individuals, which are often tied to economic and tourism strategies. These visa programs are part of broader efforts by countries to capitalize on the growing trend of digital nomadism. The article also discusses the role of coworking spaces and the social dynamics that emerge from the digital nomad community, including the formation of enclaves and the potential for socio-spatial segregation. The research underscores the importance of place in understanding digital nomadism, highlighting how place is involved in the production of digital nomadic mobilities and the impact of these movements on local communities. The article calls for a more comprehensive geographical analysis of digital nomadism, considering the interplay between place, mobility, and the socio-economic implications of this phenomenon. It emphasizes the need for further research to understand the broader impacts of digital nomadism on destinations and local communities, as well as the role of place in shaping these dynamics.The article explores the concept of digital nomadism through a geographical lens, emphasizing the role of place in shaping digital nomadic mobilities. Digital nomadism, a lifestyle involving remote work while traveling, has gained significant attention since the COVID-19 pandemic. It is characterized by a blend of work and travel, with individuals often seeking affordable destinations to reduce living costs. The term 'digital nomad' encompasses both work and travel aspects, and digital nomads are often seen as highly mobile professionals who work remotely and travel frequently. The article discusses the concept of 'workcation,' a hybrid of work and vacation, where individuals travel to a vacation location to work. It also highlights the phenomenon of 'geoarbitrage,' where digital nomads move to cheaper destinations to live more affordably. The article examines the impact of digital nomadism on destinations, noting both positive and negative effects, such as economic benefits and potential gentrification and displacement of local communities. Digital nomadism has led to the development of specific visa schemes aimed at attracting these individuals, which are often tied to economic and tourism strategies. These visa programs are part of broader efforts by countries to capitalize on the growing trend of digital nomadism. The article also discusses the role of coworking spaces and the social dynamics that emerge from the digital nomad community, including the formation of enclaves and the potential for socio-spatial segregation. The research underscores the importance of place in understanding digital nomadism, highlighting how place is involved in the production of digital nomadic mobilities and the impact of these movements on local communities. The article calls for a more comprehensive geographical analysis of digital nomadism, considering the interplay between place, mobility, and the socio-economic implications of this phenomenon. It emphasizes the need for further research to understand the broader impacts of digital nomadism on destinations and local communities, as well as the role of place in shaping these dynamics.
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