Can digital nomads solve the problem of tourist economy? The case of Croatian islands

Abstract

Many Croatian island municipalities depend on tourism, which provides income by using natural resources; however, traditional tourism is labour intensive and low-skilled which leads to low wages and low possibilities to increase productivity. This paper aims to analyse and discuss other possibilities than traditional tourist industry for the Croatian islands to develop. We will turn towards the concept of digital nomads to discuss if digital nomads can be a solution for the Croatian islands. As a starting point, we use a conceptual model inspired by Harris and Todaro's theoretical outline. We discuss the new possibilities that digitalisation has opened for these islands. The digital economy has made where and when work is performed less important. Thus, the lines between work and non-work are blurred. Tourist industry must look ahead for new forms of mobility and new kinds of work and non-work, which may bring positive exogenous effects to the islands in the form of higher educational level, cultural activities, and purchase power. Our main point is that turning towards attracting digital nomads can, to some extent, be a solution.

Keywords

• tourism
• croatian islands
• digital nomad
• creative class
• economic development
• labour market