Nomadism without Borders: Exploring Connections in Digital Nomad Destinations : An Ethnographic Multiple-Case Study in Malaysia & Colombia

Abstract: Background: Globalization and remote work following COVID-19 have boosted the tourism profiles of lifestyle travelers. Especially digital nomads, individuals that work remotely while traveling. These arising tourists contrast with the mass tourism industry, in the sense that digital nomads stay longer and may engage with local culture. However, digital nomads have shown mass tourism behaviors, causing negative effects on destinations. Purpose: Digital nomadism has an impact on destinations, either positive or negative. In the case of negative effects, alienation and gentrification often occur within the destination. The literature neglects to elaborate on the negative effects of digital nomadism and, most importantly, ignores to provide solutions to mitigate them. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify practices that build bridges between digital nomads and destinations and mitigate alienation and gentrification. Finally, it is expected to help all stakeholders involved to make the movement more sustainable. Method: To gather insights on practices in destinations, we follow the qualitative approach of ethnography, which allows us as researchers to immerse ourselves in the destinations and deeply understand stakeholders' practices and strengthen our findings with our own experiences. In the form of a multiple case study, we decided to travel to different destinations in Malaysia and Colombia to collect insights on the ground. There, we followed a triangulation of evidence and collected data by experiencing ourselves as digital nomads, conducting interviews, and recording vlogs. iConclusion: To mitigate the negative effects of digital nomads, bundled practices can be undertaken. Regularly those practices are based on interaction among stakeholders, where locals, related businesses, and digital nomads collaborate, network, exchange knowledge and help digital nomads to integrate. Activities based on action are mainly undertaken for onboarding support, especially from the business side that provides services for digital nomads to adapt. Comparing Colombia and Malaysia, we found that these bundled practices help digital nomads and destinations to connect, mitigating gentrification and alienation.