Earlier this year, the City of Cape Town launched its ‘Digital Nomad’ Initiative, an exciting new development that aims to attract remote workers from South Africa and abroad.
It is no secret that the Covid-19 pandemic has severely curtailed travel, yet such is the lure of sought-after global destinations that even amid the crisis, exciting new trends have emerged.
One of the most significant developments is the adaptation of the work-from-home concept to exotic locations at home and abroad.
According to the renowned travel publication Travel + Leisure, several countries around the world are now making it easier for remote workers to become temporary residents.
The appeal of the trend is that it allows employees to enjoy the marvels of a foreign land while still performing their professional duties, and from the host nation’s perspective, this attracts invaluable tourism capital at a time when it is most needed.
It is little surprise that Cape Town, with its breathtaking mountain ranges, idyllic ocean views and a world-class array of outdoor activities like surfing, mountain climbing, wine tasting, kite surfing, and shark cage diving, was in January named among the “Best Cities for Remote Working” on travel website Big 7 Travel’s 50 Best Places for Remote Working in 2021.
The Mother City has long been favoured by domestic and international workers, especially younger people seeking an African adventure that caters to a higher sense of wellbeing and stimulates their personal creativity.
Companies around the world have recognised that the ability to offer a remote work option is key to their growth and sustainability.
Professionals like accountants, lawyers and tech. experts are these days highly self-disciplined and self-sufficient, and businesses accordingly are adapting operations to offer employees opportunities for a healthy work-life balance.
In Colorado in the USA, ski lodge owners allow employees to take to the slopes during their lunch hours and on weekends. This provides a great incentive for workers to follow their passion while still carrying out their professional duties.
Closer to home, many from Gauteng and other South African provinces are relocating to Cape Town in a trend known as ‘semigration’. While semigration to the jewel of the Western Cape is not new, remote work has made it that much more appealing.
City of Cape Town municipal bosses and economic agencies have been quick to recognise the massive potential of remote working to tourism, and in the past few months have upped the ante to get the word out to both the international and domestic markets that the metro is open for business.
The intention of the City of Cape Town Tourism’s ‘Digital Nomad’ Initiative is to attract remote workers and to bolster their efforts. The initiative is also lobbying the South African government to introduce a ‘Remote Working Visa’.
According to the City’s mayoral committee member for economic opportunities and asset management, James Vos, it is essential that the local travel and hospitality sector adapts given the devastation wrought by Covid-19. The remote worker ‘home away from home’ concept is ideal in this regard.
The remote working visa option is sure to gain momentum in South Africa, and has already proved effective in other countries around the world.
The US state of Hawaii, for example, has launched a remote work programme that offers free round-trip tickets to Honolulu to the first 50 people accepted, in addition to special discounts on accommodation.
PICTURE: Unsplash
