Τhematic Tourism relating to Digital Nomads in Crete
The attraction of digital nomads is an important challenge for many tourism destinations worldwide. The island of Crete, Greece is a popular tourism destination for summer holidays visited by millions of tourists every year. Although several famous tourism destinations worldwide have already developed appropriate policies to attract digital nomads the island of Crete has yet to act on this issue so far.
The island has developed many types of Thematic Tourism so far according to the preferences of different tourists’ segments differentiating its tourism product which is currently based on mass tourism. It has also all the characteristics that are favourable to digital nomads indicating that the island can be an ideal place for them to visit, work and enjoy. The presence of digital nomads in Crete will have many social, economic, and environmental benefits in the island.
Crete has all the characteristics which are favourable according to studies implemented in Bali, Indonesia. It is characterised by mild climate, abundant sunshine and thousands of kilometres of sandy and challenging beaches. Digital nomads can travel easily to Crete, by plane or by ship, and work remotely using the excellent ICT infrastructure of the island, either working independently from their residential buildings or together with others in co-working spaces which should be created soon in Crete.
They can live independently or co-live with others in several places located either in the four main cities of Crete or in the countryside in the beautiful villages dispersed along the island. Crete has a rich social and cultural life and digital nomads can enjoy a holistic type of life all year round integrating themselves with the local communities achieving mutual benefits. There are numerous beautiful and unique natural sites and cultural monuments dispersed along Crete which are attractive all year. They can taste the famous, delicious and healthy Cretan cuisine, and note that criminality in Crete is very low while its infrastructure is very good serving millions of visitors every year.
Advantages of the island of Crete, Greece for attracting digital nomads
- Good weather and mild climate all through the year.
- Digital nomads can work and live independently, or they can co-work in specific spaces.
- Easy access to Crete by airplane or by boat.
- Good internet access at high speed.
- The island has many beautiful natural sites.
- There are many natural and cultural attractions.
- The Cretan cuisine and gastronomy are famous all over the world.
- There are numerous cultural activities in Crete all through the year.
- The criminality on the island is low and the visitors feel safe.
- The well-known Universities in Crete can assist digital nomads in technology issues.
- The local authorities support tourism, which is the most important sector of the island’s economy.
- The local residents are friendly to visitors who can easily integrate in the local communities.
- The cost of living in Crete is relatively low compared with other developed countries.
- Digital nomads originated from EU countries do not require visa. If they originate from other countries they can apply for a provisional “digital nomad visa” allowing them to stay and work for one year or for a “digital nomad residence permit” if they want to stay more.
Benefits from the development of thematic tourism related with digital nomads in Crete
| BENEFIT |
Categorisation |
|---|---|
|
Increase of the number of visitors in Crete and the income of the local tourism industry |
Economic |
|
Integration of digital nomads in the local societies exchanging skills and ideas |
Social |
|
Development new services and products in Crete tailored-made to digital nomads including co-living and co-working spaces |
Economic |
|
Digital nomads can remain in Crete during the winter months without increasing the over tourism in the island |
Environmental |
|
Differentiation of the tourism product in the island |
Economic |
|
Increase of the competitiveness of the local tourism industry |
Economic |
|
Digital nomads can reside both in urban and rural places in Crete |
Social |
Dr. Ioannis Vourdoubas was involved in the creation of the text, 'The Impacts of Covid 19 Pandemic on Energy Use in Various Types of Buildings', he is scientific collaborator of MAICH, a DETOCS project partner.
The text indicates that the attraction of digital nomads in Crete will improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the local tourism industry reducing the tourism-related carbon footprint.
The creation of the text took place during the three months after the start of DETOCS project, and was implemented in Crete, Greece. It was created in the framework of implementing the DETOCS project which is financed in the first call of INTERREG EUROPE.