We have some friends living in New York and they both work from home. They have found the idea quite interesting. But having investigating the idea they have pointed out a few years ago one organisation quoted Palma was one of the best cities in the world to work and live. But this year Palma has been quoted as being on of the most dangerous places with a high crime rate in Spain. Not sure the idea will take off!
Stephen GrimmerLike I said this business group are not like tourists. I see a 2000euro earnings, well that’s not even data entry operative wages. Nissan are a major employers in my area 7k direct with 20k employees in support and suppliers. That same city has 10k coders in the games industry. Many more in fin tech. That’s the opportunity But they won’t want to live in a resort in isolation from their peer group. They will put significant pressure on local services and accommodation. They will also need good direct transportation links to other cities year round. Ie U.K. states Japan Korea. That’s the requirements of digital nomads.
Not only are "digital nomads" unconnected to the local employment market (e.g. my daughter, who analyses marketing data for a California stats. Co.) but they will now be competing (and outbidding) on accommodation needed by the minimum wage employees who keep the local economy and tourism going.
I work from home and I'm resident here. Just wondering why these nomads should pay less tax than me?And as someone else here says, we have a housing shortage. Mad idea.
Will they be allowed to drive?
Ulla JacksonNomads move around .. But the people who can work from anywhere seem to be this target groups, as there are many sub populations to the digital nomad. Not purely IT & E-commerce but traditional occupations like artists and writers. Even design engineers and architects although collaborative interaction is still needed in those professions Either way they won’t be tourists and will need more comprehensive communities. Not resorts. I’ve never been to playa de Palma so can’t comment on its suitability but it looks like a resort. As for what happens to these folk in 5 years, well I can assume many will be young, some will marry, some may want to settle, some will bring or have children while on the island. So schools and suitable permanent settlement will be needed.. Majorca govt seems to look at everything through the lens of tourism, hotels and resorts. That’s to be expected it’s their comfort zone. But this is another business with different populations, needs and culture’s. As you say what happens if the want to stay. I don’t think the plan is thought through fully. After all we where all nomads once until we found a nice valley to settle in.
David HollandBut this is not just to fill the wintergap if they can stay 5 years. And then what? Can they demand to stay and apply for PR and possibly buy a property as they are not the "normal" tourists but "want" to settle here? And how will they keep track of these. To me it's more questions than answers, and I hope it will be the same for the politicians before they feel happy accepting this proposal. Or could it be that they are far too shortsighted?
Ulla JacksonExcellent summery. There’s plenty of what they don’t want and little idea what they do. This is usual contrary policy. Unless this is their solution to fill the winter tourism gap. If is they truly don’t understand this type of demographic.
They are complaining about shortage of housing and now they would like to encourage more people to occupy properties. You can't make it up, they really don't know what leg to stand on!
This is just another diversion by the government, they have no idea what they want or where they want it. Once the island is full and way too expensive to live on what then? Greed is the driver here, property prices are high, the local population can neither afford the rents or to buy as the wages are terminally low compared to anywhere else in Spain. They really need to get a grip and make plans for the future that include the local populace without brining in more people to put the prices up. Some times I wonder who is actually running this island. My wife and I lived on the island for 20 years but moved to the mainland as we could not afford to buy a property there. Now we have a 3 bed villa with a pool in a beautiful area for about a 1/3 of the price. Time to get real Mallorca before it all implodes. I hear everyone in business was short staffed this year, if you continue like this the island will just die.