Digital nomadism from the perspective of places and mobilities: a literature review

Abstract

Digital nomadism (DN), an emerging lifestyle based on remote working, digital technology, and leisure travels, has grown from a marginal phenomenon concerning isolated individuals in the early 2000s to a flourishing movement in less than two decades. In the post COVID-19 context of mainstream remote work, the number of digital nomads has risen sharply. Digital nomads are professionals who live, travel, and work online from multiple destinations with a reliable internet connection. In response to this rapid growth, both public and private actors have launched new initiatives targeting digital nomads (e.g. dedicated visa schemes and coliving spaces). Despite the proliferation of these initiatives, there is a lot to discover on digital nomads, including their demographics, travel patterns, and impacts. Based on a systematic literature review covering the last decade, this article explores DN from the perspective of places and mobilities. Findings show that places and mobilities largely shape definitions of DN, how nomads perceive their identity, and how they select travel destinations. Moreover, DN has many impacts on mobilities and places by creating demand for specific infrastructures and contributing to gentrification. In the post-pandemic context, research on DN is needed to address the challenges raised by new mobile lifestyles and remote work practices.