It is estimated that in 15 years nearly one-eighth of the world’s population will be digital nomads, and given the popularization of remote work during the pandemic 'lockdown', this number could be much higher. Until now, the economic potential of attracting such 'wandering workers' has been largely overlooked in most countries. Croatia has definitely been among them, but now, like a rabbit, it is perking up its ears and developing an awareness for opening doors to such newcomers who bring year-round tourism, an opportunity for branding Croatia, extensive business networks, a deep pool of talent and specific knowledge, people with higher purchasing power who will fill the off-season gaps for landlords, hospitality providers, merchants, museum professionals, family farms, and even telecommunications companies.
The benefits of attracting digital nomads cannot be measured solely in monetary terms. The interconnectedness of the community and presence on social media is a huge opportunity for attracting more tourists and fellow nomads and branding the destination, but that is not all. In a country that declaratively fights against depopulation and the exodus of youth, attracting 'life' becomes a matter of survival. If quality preparations are made to accommodate a new generation of the workforce that prefers to be on the move, the long-awaited projection of a film about more balanced development of Croatian regions can be set in motion. In fact, in countries that nurture this type of tourism, they have introduced incredibly fast internet in smaller places where rental prices are lower, and where nomads can also convincingly experience the charms of indigenous life in that area.
Here is what the initiator of introducing a visa for digital nomads in Croatia Jan de Jong highlights as key arguments for opening doors to digital immigrants:
