The COVID-19 pandemic rocked the entire business world and, arguably, the hospitality industry most of all. Empty rooms and patron-less tables became the harsh new reality as global pandemic restrictions kept us behind closed doors. In fact, the impact on the hospitality industry has been so great that experts estimate it may take until 2023 to recover to pre-COVID levels.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. The hospitality industry may have been hit hard, but it’s also bouncing back in impressive ways. From offering hotel rooms up to essential workers to shifting business models to accommodate contact-free takeaways, hotels and restaurants have successfully adapted to the pandemic.

A lot of things have changed about the way we shop, live, and work. And it’s the shifting trends in the world of work that has presented a somewhat unexpected opportunity for hospitality businesses. We’re all familiar with the notion of working from home, which a huge 42% of Americans are now doing. Remote working was one of the measures encouraged by governments worldwide to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, with many businesses shifting indefinitely to the structure of remote work.

And with this new way of working, we’ve seen opportunities and challenges arise as we all try to adapt to the new normal. One opportunity in particular has been the rise of working from anywhere.

The Rise of the Work from Anywhere Trend

As we’ve settled into the routine of remote working over the last 18 months and professionals have become accustomed to balancing working and living in the same space, a new trend has emerged: the work from anywhere, or workation, trend. We see how remote work and travel can go hand in hand to create a unique remote working environment.

Born from the frustrations and challenges of working remotely, the work from anywhere trend has emerged as a potential respite from the repetitiveness of remote working. Many workers have struggled to set boundaries and adapt to the monotony in their routines since working from home, and the prospect of working from anywhere in the world is an attractive alternative.

The realization that remote working doesn’t have to be done from the same place has given rise to a new kind of tourism where professionals can merge a vacation with their work, providing a much needed change of scenery without using up those precious vacation days.

How Businesses Can Capitalize on Work from Anywhere Tourism

For hospitality businesses, the recent work from anywhere trend has presented an opportunity to adapt to the new world we find ourselves living in. The notion of work from anywhere is a mutually beneficial exchange for working travelers and hospitality providers alike, with workers able to get away for a little while and hotels able to fill their rooms.

And like other shifts in the market environment, hospitality businesses need to tweak their services and offerings in order to successfully target this new client niche. Whether it’s creating new packages or offering more flexibility with your current services, let’s look at how exactly businesses can capitalize on this new travel trend.

#1 Create Work from Anywhere Options or Packages

One way to adapt to this trend is to create a whole new package as a hospitality provider. With business travel being the most resilient form of travel throughout the pandemic, and with locations like the Caribbean islands offering specific remote work visas, it makes perfect sense to create new business packages that cater to this ever-growing group of clients.

Take hotel giant Hyatt’s Work From Hyatt campaign as an example. They have created brand-new packages for remote workers who want to get out of their homes, whether it’s for the day or a longer period of time. Their options include short-term solutions such as day office rates to workations for an extended period of time at hotels across the globe. This kind of flexibility allows Hyatt to reach all remote workers, from those who might just want to get out of the house for a day to professionals looking to become digital nomads.

#2 Provide the Right Amenities for Remote Workers

One of the issues of working from home is that a lot of people don’t have the privilege of a designated workspace. Many of us have turned living rooms or bedrooms into dual-purpose space: offices during work hours and homes outside of them. If remote workers opt for the work from anywhere model, they’ll need to be able to do so seamlessly, so it’s up to hospitality companies to make the necessary adjustments to their services to achieve that.

So whether you’re a hotel owner or Airbnb host, you can boost your chances of attracting work from anywhere guests by providing the amenities they need to carry on doing their work without disruptions or distractions. This could include:

• High-speed internet
• Virtual conferencing facilities
• Desk setups

#3 Offer Price Incentives for Work from Anywhere Bookings

Hotels, Airbnbs, and other hospitality providers can offer discounts on remote work booking to incentivize those who want to work from the luxury of a hotel but haven’t done so due to budget constraints. Many establishments have started offering promotions such as subsidized prices when you book for more than three nights or flexible and refundable rates in case guests need to cancel due to a positive COVID result or a change in travel status.

With uncertainty being a new fixture in our lives, many people have been cautious to travel in case they lose out on money they’ve spent or plans get canceled—but offering price incentives and flexible refund and exchange policies can soothe some of these worries and help remote workers get a much needed break.

The Future of Work Is Global

The popularity of the work from anywhere model has shown that remote work and travel really can go hand in hand to create a unique kind of working model that helps workers feel empowered and more positive about their jobs. After all, who wouldn’t feel more motivated when they can look up at a stunning view or look forward to a relaxing dip in the pool after work?

The possibilities and opportunities that remote working affords professionals have created a much needed boost for the hospitality industry, and when done right, can provide a safe alternative to working from home for customers.

The future is nothing if not uncertain, but with innovations like work from anywhere, it’s clear that the hospitality industry will continue to evolve and adapt to any changes that come its way.

How TransPerfect Can Help

If you’re ready to capitalize on this emerging travel trend, TransPerfect can help. No matter whom you’re targeting, our translation and localization services will help you connect with your customers. Whether you need website localization, global brand management, or content creation, our network of established linguists and translation professionals will ensure that your company can reach your audience, no matter the region. Find out more about our services here, or get in touch with us today!

The future is global, so make sure that your brand is ready for it with TransPerfect.