The rise of Digital Nomad

Times of IndiaGuest Contributor/TRAVEL TRENDS, INDIA/ Updated : Sep 9, 2020, 12:00 IST

The rise of Digital Nomad

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Synopsis

As the world went into a shutdown mode, it saw a rise in the digital nomad community as professionals welcomed working from home. Keeping up with the pace the hospitality takes the leap to customise workations.

Early this month, as Uttarakhand opened its state borders, Shaili with her boyfriend headed for Chestnut Grove Himalayan lodge to spend a month there. “More than 90days of lockdown in this urban jungle was getting a little too much. Work pressure had increased, no maids and with not much help I was reaching for a breakdown. So we finally got the Covid test and headed to the hills” she adds. Unlock 1.0 also opened options for hospitality ventures to go the workation way. This way the workationers do their normal job online while being on a kind of vacation.

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Shailza Sood Dasgupta, co-founder, the Homestays of India says “Work from homestay is a new concept that will revolutionize the way we work. At these homestays you can experience the comfort of a home, enjoy the facilities of an office and work close to nature without any distractions. It’s refreshing to break free from home and will be a rewarding, practical, affordable and convenient substitute for ‘Work from Home’. We started getting many long term enquiries around workation and hence we worked on the concept. We launched it in the beginning of June”.

These lockdown days were not easy for any of us, but as hospitality ventures open up, it is surely giving us options to work from remote locations with the ease of convenience, flexibility, and even giving you a chance to see the world without having to skip on a lucrative career.

As Saffronstays puts “Wi-Fi, Empty Beaches and Hygge” all that one needs; Devendra Parulekar, Founder, SaffronStays affirms “If one can work from home, it is obvious that they can also work from a vacation home in Khandala, Alibaug, Ooty or Goa. People may opt to stay at a vacation home for a month and over and work from there”. The brand lays its rules very clear pointing at specifications like that these packages are for a minimum of 1 month in one home and guests cannot leave the property for the first 14 days of their stay amongst the few.

The best thing about workations is that they can be done literally anywhere; all you need is a decent internet connection. The best side effect of being a digital nomad is that it gives you the free space to work from morning until late afternoon and relax or explore your surroundings in the evening and during the weekends.

Rakhee Lalwani, VP, PR & Corp Comm IHCL hold the view “Pandemic surely has reshaped people’s lives has been by redefining the concept of remote working. We also understand that it can get pretty stressful at times, hence Several of IHCL’s hotels like Taj Holiday Village in Goa, or our individual Ama bungalows at Coorg, Chikmagalur, Alleppey are customised in a way to give you that ideal environment to work and take a break. We are witnessing this growing trend where guests are signing up to work remotely. All the brand needs is seamless WIFI, safe and hygienic spaces, culinary options combined by our signature warmth and Tajness”.

While the work-vacation ratio is flexible, the price bracket is also much flexible depending on the type of property that you choose to book. It mostly starts somewhere from Rs 20,000 for a month and goes up to ₹1,12,000 for a month. All one need is uninterrupted Wi-Fi, that’s the main criteria as today’s working force are upping their internet game.

Mr Dharamveer Singh Chouhan, Co-founder & CEO, Zostel shares his thoughts “We have launched #movein with Zostel, an exciting spree of budget-friendly stay packages which gives domestic travellers chance to reunite with Mother Nature. A 15-day & 30 days dormitory package starts at Rs. 4000 & 7000 resp while and the 15-day and 30 days private room starts at Rs. 10,000 and 18,000, it’s almost a steal deal”.

As one enjoys the scenic locale or just relax and soak in the beauty of the place, workation is also a step to boost income within the tourism sector.

“The whole concept of “workation’ works as an incentive for us. Working and yet staying away from home surely offers ease of convenience, flexibility, and the chance to see the world without having to skip on career. At the Anandvan Resort, you get a chance to escape the noise and chaos of the city and sink into creativity and spirituality. The acres of green space, comfort cuisines, and warm hospitality will give you the chance to work on your bestselling novel or nail that pitch meeting”, shares Mr. Puneet Anand, CEO, Anandvan Resort, Bhandardara. But offbeat golf resorts, like the Karma Lakelands introduce Workspaces inspired by nature, set amid 300 ac of area dominated by trees with breath-taking nature views, fresh air and chirping birds ideal for professionals who would like to think out of the box. Their USP is Premium Tents which features all modern-day amenities and safety, where you can enjoy, relax, work and walk with hassle-free social distancing.

With survival and revival the mantra for the travel industry, workation is almost a like a fresh breeze to escape the mundane life along with work-life balance. Isn’t this the perfect time to run away to your favourite hideout?

Author: Ms. Ayandrali Dutta

Ayandrali Dutta, a journalist with more than 10+ years’ experience who also holds a degree in Psychology has worked with some of the top publication houses like Times of India, Dainik Bhaskar, India today, Exchange4media to name a few along with contributing to many others. She describes herself as a wanderer by passion,wordsmith by profession, and a home-chef by choice.

She believes in capturing moments and freezing them through her stories.