Introducing The ‘Workcation'

With remote work now a reality for full-time employees, many are seeking a change of scene and swapping their home offices for more aspirational locations

- Melanie Swan

The way we work has changed dramatically in 2020, and perhaps, forever. With working-from home a reality for many companies for the remainder of the year and well into 2021 and corporate giants such as Twitter making that move permanently, many people are seeking a more conducive space to live and work. It is no longer just freelancers looking for a new home working experience, but across industries from media to finance and psychology to fitness, huge numbers of people now realise they can take their ‘office’ to more exotic climes.

In Dubai, Airbnb management specialist, Frank Porter, has seen accommodation normally favoured for holiday purposes now booked for work-related stays.

“As more people work from home, we are seeing an increase in business travel bookings,” confirms the company’s founder and CEO, Anna Skigin.

“Apartments win over hotels in this case as you can work in your own space, cook yourself a meal in your own kitchen and do your own laundry. It’s an easy and safe option. We are also receiving many enquiries about the availability of high-speed internet connections so people can Zoom easily.”

Another trend, she continues, is for extended stays with people “travelling for holidays with the mindset they can also work”.

“We are receiving a lot of enquiries from individual corporate travellers who want to visit Dubai”

“So, for example, a one-week holiday is being extended to a two-week holiday – people are enjoying a new destination and working at the same time,” Skigin explains.