Reuters, Madrid
Drawn by sun, sea and speedy Wi-Fi, remote workers are converging on Europe's southernmost islands to try "workcationing" before employers’ order them back to the office, giving battered tourism businesses a welcome boon.
Ms Olga Paul, 34, came to the Spanish island of Gran Canaria in May to work remotely for the first time, after long pandemic months cooped up in her flat in Munich, where she is a business analyst for one of Germany's largest car manufacturers.
"I think I'm more productive now," she said, delighted with the sea view from her rooftop, where she goes for breaks. "I can concentrate on my work and explore the islands on the weekends ... it feels great."
Combining holiday destinations with remote work is a growing trend in Spain and Portugal's sunniest archipelagos, as travel bans ease and the starved tourism industry offers discounted stays and dedicated workspaces.
"We have certainly seen a growth in the 'Digital Nomads' category, (which) has been important to the tourism sector during the pandemic since it contributed to long-term stays and local economies," said Ms Jennifer Iduh, head of research at the European Union's tourism body.
The remote workers register as tourists, making them hard to quantify, but evidence of their presence is ubiquitous, from new co-working spaces sprouting up to stickers advertising free, extra-powerful Wi-Fi in many restaurants, cafes and bars.
