When the entire world turns into an office: discovering digital nomads

The first of a series of lectures on digital nomads was held on Tuesday, 13 May, as part of the USI Master's programme in International Tourism. The evening, titled "Work, Wander, Wonder: A Journey in the Lives of Digital Nomads" featured Fabiola Mancinelli, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Barcelona, and Alberica Bozzi, PhD student in Urban Planning at the Gustave Eiffel University (France), who were interviewed by TeleTicino for the occasion.

The evolution of technological tools and the labour market has facilitated the rise of digital nomadism, which Professor Fabiola Mancinelli has defined accurately: "Digital nomads and remote workers are often confused in popular discussions. While both groups can work remotely, they use that flexibility differently. Remote workers typically work from home and may not take advantage of the mobility that comes with remote work. In contrast, digital nomads embrace the opportunities provided by remote work and the digital economy to travel frequently, incorporating travel into their everyday lifestyle."

Digital nomadism has gained popularity, primarily due to the shift in attitudes toward work brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Professor Mancinelli explained, "The pandemic has increased social acceptance of remote work, making it a normal part of professional life. People have realised that many occupations can be performed remotely, and numerous companies have embraced this opportunity."

Digital nomads are more than just travellers looking to explore new countries. As Alberica Bozzi highlighted, "Digital nomads are not just tourists; they require various services that enable them to work remotely. These services include coworking spaces, coliving arrangements, and places where they can connect with other digital nomads."

This is because, contrary to what one might imagine, working while travelling does not mean working from the beach: "None of the digital nomads I have met told me they work from the beach or the pool; they need a dedicated workspace to be productive," concluded Alberica Bozzi.

The full interview with Professor Fabiola Mancinelli and Alberica Bozzi, conducted by TeleTicino, is available at the following link (from min. 8:25). (Italian only)