The circumstances of 2020 resulted in one silver lining, the untethering of America’s professionals from their desks. The ‘work from home’ phenomenon has overtaken our lives in 2020, and seems it is here to stay. The lines between business and leisure travel are becoming increasingly blurred as travelers take advantage of ‘work from anywhere’ policies. Why work from your shoebox NYC apartment, when you could take meetings in Barbados? Travelers now have the opportunity to trade in their lap-desks for a first-class flight to their new office in the Maldives. We’ve compiled some of the top ‘workcation’ options available at the fingertips of frequent flyers.
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda are two spots inviting international travelers to work from the beach, through their ‘Nomad Digital Residence Program,’ which allows remote workers an office away from home for up to two years. Do you qualify? Remote workers who make at least $50k/year and can maintain health insurance throughout their stay are more than welcome to set up shop in these tropical spots.
Maldives
A longshot for the majority of working Americans, the Maldives recently launched the ultimate workation package. For the price of $23,250, luxury business travelers can spend seven days at The Nautilus Maldives on their own private island. Regenerative work breaks include daily yoga and meditation sessions and a sunset dolphin cruise aboard a luxury yacht, while the workday routine includes a personal desk on a sandbank under the shade of a canopy.
Dubai
The Government of Dubai recently announced a new visa which will allow remote workers to relocate to the United Arab Emirates annually, in a move targeted towards long-term travelers. While it might sound run of the mill, this visa opportunity is anything but. Travelers who enroll in this visa will be afforded opportunities previously not offered to non-residents, including opening a bank account and enrolling their children in local schools. This long-term opportunity is aimed at attracting talented business professionals to the Emirate, rather than tourists.
California
For business travelers looking to stay domestic, California’s luxury hotel, The Sawyer, is offering their sunny pool cabanas as outdoor office pods for just $150 per day. The poolside work space includes Wi-Fi and parking, as well as that refreshing California breeze.
This ‘new normal’ that we have found ourselves in has created a demand for opportunities like this, and these are only the tip of the iceberg. Other destinations offering remote working incentives include Bermuda, Estonia, Aruba and more.
At App in the Air, we have always followed our business travelers along on their work journeys, and that won’t change in 2021.