Maldives tourism industry has made several notable strides in terms of both growth and expansion. What started out with a single tourist resort in Kaafu atoll back in 1972, the country’s tourism industry currently boasts over 150 tourist resorts.
Moreover, the Maldivian tourism industry has expanded its segments from single island tourist resorts into the local tourism, safari vessels and liveaboards as well as integrated resort islands.
Safaris and liveaboards became integrated into Maldivian tourism industry nearly two decades back, while local tourism industry came to life roughly a decade back; initiated in 2010 during the former President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration.
When it comes to fresh tourism concepts or new tourist segments, there is always scope; and the island nation possesses a strong potential to incorporate many of these new-age or contemporary tourism concepts.
One such possible inclusion could be the introduction of Tech Nomad Tourism in Maldives. But what is Tech Nomad Tourism? Or better to ask first would be, what is meant by Tech Nomad?
Tech Nomad
Tech nomads or more generally noted as ‘digital nomads’ are individuals who are “location-independent” and utilizes technology in order to perform their jobs or tasks. These individuals do not work in conventional 9-to-5 methods or even attend the offices or headquarters of the companies or corporations under which they are working; be it under employment, contractual or even on freelance basis.
The term ‘digital nomad’ was first coined by Tsugio Makimoto and David Manners in their 1997 book The Digital Nomad in which they had ‘prophesized’ on the invention of singular and powerful communication devices which would allow employees to work from anywhere – keeping in mind that this was one among the many hypotheses they had presented long before the very first non-TFT smartphone would rest on consumer hands.
Who are these Digital or Tech Nomads?
Mostly, tech nomads tend to be the younger generation of workers found in the global ‘work force’ and are usually found working in ‘knowledge economy’ which relates to marketing, design, Information Technology, writing, media and public relations, tutoring and even consultation.
A study by MBO Partners in 2019 had indicated that a total of 10.9 million individuals were in fact tech nomads, working in the United States alone while an additional 19 million Americans affirmed their strong consideration on shifting towards a tech nomad lifestyle.
The very first person who had been depicted as a digital nomad is Steve K. Roberts who pedaled 17,000 miles around United States from 1983 to 1991 on a “computerized and networked recumbent bicycle which he dubbed the BEHEMOTH (Big Electronic Human-Energized Machine, Only Too Heavy).
Spike in Tech Nomad Tourism popularity amid Covid-19
The Covid-19 global outbreak effectively put pauses and at some situations absolute halts on several in-person activities; which had included regular 9-to-5 jobs where employees or staff were required to attend a specified office or headquarters belonging to the company under which they are employed.
Several global states imposed restrictive measures and curfews that barred the public from venturing out.
But after tireless efforts, a few organizations have had provided vaccination solution to better counter the viral contagion which led to many of the global states to reopen their borders – which were closed down amid the outbreaks – and facilitate tourism.
However, while some of these countries allowed outbound travel for their locals, many of their venues remained vacant – barring people from social interactions – over looming fears and possibilities of Covid-19 resurgence.
This acted as a catalyst towards people opting to select remote work, which had granted them location-independence and can travel while attending their contracted tasks.
In a recent article by Bryan Lufkin on BBC, stated from Sweden to US “workers have flocked to wi-fi equipped cottages and cabins to work remotely for lockdown-friendly, manager-approved staycations.” He also notes that “there’s never been more interest in digital nomadism.”
Meanwhile, countries such as Barbados are taking applications for ‘Welcome Stamp’ which offers a 12-month visa and also the applicants must provide sufficient documents proving they make at least an annual income of USD50,000.
On the other hand, Estonia had already made official announcements on launching ‘Digital Nomad Visas’ while the country is already renowned for their ‘e-residency’ program that allows visitors to work at the country remotely for 12 months.
Morever, the Chief Executive and Co-founder of Zostel, Dharamveer Singh Chouhan has already introduced the backpacker hostels concept into mainland India.
Scope and prospects for Maldives in implementing Tech Nomad Tourism
While the single island tourist resorts in Maldives are ideally targeted towards high-end clientele, the island nation currently boasts over 700 registered guesthouses and boutique hotels of which close to 600 are already operational.
The existing tourism policy of Maldives also indicate that the local tourism segment have been acutely focused towards budget travelers or those who are visiting the island nation for longer stays in comparison with those who visit tourist resorts.
Moreover, the country’s state; more precisely the mandated state body for tourism sector, Ministry of Tourism of Maldives could work towards implementing the Tech Nomad Tourism concept in the counry.
Of course, such a decision cannot be made overnight and that too without sufficient historical and forecast data. The policy makers who may get involved in drafting out a possible framework for the Tech Nomad Tourism might find themselves leaning towards policies similar to that of Estonia, Indonesia or even India; which could result in a newer market segment introduction in the local tourism sector altogether.
However, such a decision has not been finalized and neither has it been communicated through any official channel. The prospect of a digital nomad tourism in Maldives can only be comprehended once applicable research and studies are made into the field.
