Top ‘workcation’ cities revealed

People are taking advantage of flexible working with “workcations”. These working holidays have reportedly exploded in popularity, and new research ranked the most popular destinations to do so.

Research from IWG revealed the top cities for going on a working holiday, with some of the factors for scoring including:

• Climate
• Culture
• Accommodation costs
• Transport
• Subsistence
• Internet quality
• Food
• Happiness

The top 10 cities for workcations were:

1. Barcelona
2. Toronto
3. Beijing
4. Milan
5. New York
6. Rio de Janeiro
7. Amsterdam
8. Paris
9. Jakarta
10. Lisbon

The only Aussie city to make the list was Sydney, coming in at 23. This method of working on the go is apparently very popular, with IWG reporting that 88 per cent of hybrid workers “worked from anywhere” in the past year. Meanwhile, 57 per cent extended their holidays by working abroad.

“For an increasing number of workers, hybrid working offers the opportunity to work wherever we will be the most productive. And thanks to cloud technology, that can be anywhere in the world, provided there’s a high-quality internet connection available,” commented IWG country head for Australia, Damien Sheehan.

“So, it’s no wonder that more and more individuals are embracing the idea of combining work with travel, whether it’s for a few days tacked on to the end of a vacation, or a few months as a digital nomad.”

He continued: “This trend is set to accelerate further, and we will continue to see more and more companies embracing WFA policies to improve employees’ work/life balance and increase their attractiveness as an employer.”

Employers may benefit by encouraging these kinds of initiatives, as burnout could be addressed through workcations. IWG revealed that 67 per cent of workers believe they could effectively perform their job abroad, showing clear confidence.

Flexibility is still crucial for candidates, with 71 per cent saying they’d only consider a job that offers hybrid work.

There are a variety of advantages to implementing this type of policy in the workplace, with respondents listing the biggest as:

• Improved work/life balance (76 per cent)
• The ability to spend more time with friends and family abroad (52 per cent)
• Save money by travelling during off-peak times (47 per cent)
• Enjoy longer holidays (30 per cent)

For people coming to Australia to enjoy these benefits, Sydney offers some enticing opportunities. The harbour city scored well with its appealing blend of views, beaches, food, and entertainment. Climate and happiness were the top attractions for people looking to go on a workcation in Sydney.