Greece is the number one destination for digital nomads in terms of standard of living, according to a recent HSBC survey. In the coming years, and specifically by 2035, it is estimated that their number could reach one billion. These were two of the key findings made by Rafael Koudounis, president of the Digital Nomads Observatory during the first Digital Mobilities Conference: Nomads & Remote Workers, which took place online on November 8 and 9.

The rapid spread of remote working has created a new reality with huge potential and digital nomads are its protagonists. This is also highlighted at the conference by Manos Technitis, head of research of the Observatory of Digital Nomads.

The two-day conference organized by the Observatory successfully managed to move on three levels: firstly, at the level of the research it carries out, in order to map the needs and characteristics of digital nomads, secondly, legislation with the participation of representatives of the Greek government to strengthen this new type of nomads through targeted laws and thirdly, the practical implementation of initiatives friendly to digital nomads with the participation of private  Business.

“The good quality of life, the excellent weather and the cheap cost of living”, as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, responsible for Foreign Affairs, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, stressed during the conference, “are just some of the advantages that make Greece an attractive destination for remote workers”. At the same time, both he and the Secretary General of the Ministry of Migration Policy, Patroclos Georgiadis, referred to the new legislative regulations, which aim at creating a safe and functional framework for attracting digital nomads. Changes necessary at an official level in order to give the “green light” to the business world to adapt its content and services to be digital nomad-friendly.

Already in our country there are cities, such as Athens, Kalamata and Ioannina, that have begun actions for the development of appropriate infrastructures for digital nomads, which will gradually expand. But there are also individual businesses, such as accommodations and co-working spaces, that are ready to meet the needs of digital nomads. The common assumption of those representatives – from local authorities to entrepreneurs – who spoke at the conference, is the creation of a “community” with people who understand the way this category of workers works and lives.

The first Digital Mobilities Conference: Nomads & Remote Workers was completed, achieving a multifaceted approach to this new trend in the labor sector. A variety of opinions were heard and many facts were presented, the most important being the fact that government representatives, researchers, public and private bodies sat at the “same table” with the common goal of transforming digital nomads into an opportunity for Greece.

Soon the Observatory of Digital Nomads will announce its agenda for 2022.

Digital nomadism is a new way of life and work, which, although it has been launched for a few years, has intensified due to the pandemic. According to recent data, it is estimated that by 2035, Digital Nomads will make up to 10% of the world’s population.

While Greece has great potential to claim a place on the map of the destinations of the Digital Nomads, it still has a long way to go. In this context, the Digital Nomad Observatory, which aims to study and promote this lifestyle, announces the holding of the 1st Digital Mobilities Conference: Nomads & Remote Workers.

The conference is organized by The Savvy Reps team.

The aim of the conference is to explore the opportunities opened up for Greek local communities and economies by attracting Digital Nomads and to demonstrate the actions and actions to be taken at local and national level in this direction.

Soon will be “on the air” the site www.digitalmobilities.gr with more information about the conference.

If you wish to have more information, be Conference Communication Ambassadors or supporters, please contact info@thesavvyreps.com

TEDx UniversityofPiraeus  successfully held the Pre-Event last month and officially announced this year’s theme entitled “SILVERLINING”. SILVER LINING means optimism. It means that we do not necessary pursue the “light”, but sometimes it is enough to pursue a light beam into the darkness.

The last year may have stood in the way of adopting this point of view. That’s why TEDxUniversityofPiraeus  comes on Saturday, May 15th   with Main-Event attempting the first step towards the emergence of hope in difficult situations. entrepreneurship,  design and spectacle and will share with the public their own optimistic perspective, which emerged through their daily difficulties. The filming will take place  -strictly respecting the measures for Covid-19-  at the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation in order to give the public safely the opportunity to experience the closest to the unique climate of TEDx. Their speeches will be shown live streaming on the online platform”hopin”, thus offering an unprecedented experience. Of course the event will include creative workshops  and new performances.

Through the difficulties of the pandemic, TEDxUniversityofPiraeus attempts to prove for another year that anything is possible, as long as there is will and creativity. Rays of light!

Click here to get your free tickets: https://www.tedxuniversityofpiraeus.com/ 

The event was attended by:

1. Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
2. Anna Kalogeropoulou, Vice-Regional Director of Tourism of the Region of Peloponnese
3. Thanasis Vasilopoulos, Mayor of Kalamata
4. Giorgos Athanasopoulos, Mayor of Messini
5. Vangelis Xygoros, President of the Chamber of Messinia
6. Raphael Koudaounis President of the Digital Nomad Observatory
7. Manos Artisan Head of Research Observatory of Digital Nomads

The themes, inter alia, concern the following:

1. Who are the digital nomads and why we care?
2. What are the needs and habits of nomads.
3. How they choose a destination.
4. Adaptation of businesses to digital nomads.
5. Socio-economic framework for the emerging of digital nomadism.
6. Does Messinia qualify for their installation?

The discussion was coordinated by journalist Dimitris Plemenos

You can watch the whole video here:

Among other things, the following will be discussed:
• Who are the digital nomads and why we are interested.
• What are the needs and habits of nomads.
• How to choose a destination.
• Adaptation of businesses to digital nomads.
• Socio-economic framework for the emerging of digital nomadism.

The event will take place on Thursday 8 April at 18:00, via the online video conferencing platform ZOOM on the https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMsduyprD4rEta14BiMMsy07LpjXMd729mv link while at the same time it will be broadcast live from the Youtube channel of the information media SkiathosLife. The link of Skiathos life on
YouTube to cover the event is: https://youtu.be/3rgZu-lfBdM

Digital Nomads Observatory studies and promotes the work culture of the future, where well-being, skilled work, and travel create a new productive lifestyle.

In the context of the convergence of the goals and the vision of these two bodies, it was decided our cooperation in the following critical pillars:

• Common informative activities on the way of life of Digital Nomads in the context of a globalized society.
• Develop a framework to measure and highlight the economic and social benefits that result from hosting digital nomads on a small island like Naxos

At the event, that took place online, the President of the Digital Nomads Observatory, Mr. Raphael Koudounis, analyzed key issues and answered several questions about the digital nomads.

Some of the topics discussed were:

• Who are the digital nomads and why we care?
• What are the needs and habits of nomads.
• How they choose a destination and what Rhodes can do.
• Adaptation of businesses to digital nomads.
• Socio-economic context for the emerging of digital nomadism.

At the end of the speech, various questions and concerns were raised about this new trend. The event was attended by over 70 participants from Rhodes and the Dodecanese.

The Digital Nomads Observatory wishes to thank the Association of Hotel Managers of Dodecanese and its President Mr. G. Matsigos for the invitation and the excellent organization.

In his speech, the Minister of Tourism referred to the Greek Government’s efforts to attract digital nomads, saying that the pandemic accelerated developments. He also said that “working from home is now part of our daily lives, and many businesses have invested to have that connectivity and integration of remote people who are not in the same space.”

Finally, the Minister referred to the intention of the Ministry of Tourism to support actions and cooperation aimed precisely at attracting digital nomads, while also noting the impact it will have on the internal economy.

Through its scientific collaborations and the Think Tank that it has set up, the Digital Nomad Observatory will operate as a counselor to the Municipality of Rhodes, in order to implement a series of actions that will make Rhodes an attractive destination for digital nomads to stay on the island.

Among other things, the contribution of the Digital Nomad Observatory concerns the following actions:

• The development of a comprehensive attraction plan for digital nomads.
• Creating collaborations with other agencies and cities in Greece and abroad.
• Promotion and promotion of Rhodes as an ideal destination for digital nomads.
• Interconnection with the ecosystem of startup companies
• Connecting with the digital nomadic community.
• Training of the local business community in order to generate business ideas and actions that are in demand in digital nomads.

Some of the priorities of the Municipality of Rhodes in this context are the preparation of a comprehensive action plan which, taking into account all the specific parameters that will make Rhodes an ideal choice for digital nomads.

Regarding the cooperation, the Deputy Mayor of Tourism of Rhodes, Mr. Konstantinos Taraslias, stated the following: “Rhodes has everything that is necessary for an exceptional life, from the natural beauty, the infrastructure to its hospitable people. And let us not forget that the benefits for the local economy and society are significant. Imagine in the winter to have people in Rhodes on a permanent basis, employees who will stay almost all year round on the island and who will work multiplier in terms of the tourist season, but will also contribute financially by consuming many goods. The whole project is extremely important. ”

It is noted that Rhodes is the first Greek city which has already started mobilized actions to attract digital nomads. Finally, among the actions of the Observatory according to its statutes are included:

• Promoting the way of life of digital nomads as innovative and sustainable, responding to the needs of modern globalized society
• Promoting policies that meet the needs of digital nomads and new forms of work.
• Highlighting the economic and social benefits of hosting digital nomads in a city.
• Publication of research results for the benefit of the social and business ecosystem.
• Educational activities and academic synergies.

Observatory instruments:

• President Mr. Rafael Koudounis
• Head of Research Mr. Manos Technitis
• Head of Academic Actions Mr. Elias Karavolias
• Head of Coordination Mr. Michalis Mantikos