The Rising Popularity of ‘Workations’ and Why They are the Latest Travel Trend

Have you been hearing the word Workation and be wondering what that is?

Consider workations to be a hybrid between leisurely holidays and working holidays. During the 9 to 5, or whichever hours you choose to work, you can get into professional mode in a similarly professional environment. When you have put enough hours in, you can kick back in the cities that you have always wanted to visit, but never had the time to explore!

With an increase in the number of people remote working, and the increase in self-employed workers conducting business from their laptops, more and more people are enjoying their new-found freedom by enjoying Workations.

It is estimated that over 47% of people are now working remotely since the first lockdown, and that number isn’t expected to decrease any time soon. With more and more possibilities of remote working arising, workers are looking to take full advantage of the perks, and Workation packages are the perfect way to do that.

Benefits of a Workation

To put it quite simply, we weren’t designed to sit chained to a desk in the same room every day. So, it comes as little surprise that our mental and physical health suffers when we put ourselves through that very same regime.

If you are working from home or the same office day in, day out, you are unlikely to feel compelled to explore and take in your surroundings if you know them like the back of your hand. With a workation, you get the chance to wake up in the morning by swimming in the sea instead of relying on a cold shower, you get the chance to sample local delicacies on your lunch break instead of buying that overpriced and underwhelming sandwich, and just think of the possibilities when you get out of work!

1. Work-Life Balance – If your main excuse for not going on holiday is that you can’t leave your work behind, Workations allow you to stay productive but give you more of a chance to properly unwind when you clock off!
2. Networking - you will expand your portfolio by connecting with professionals from across the globe!
3. Increased Productivity – if you find that you don’t get to unwind properly when working from home, you will find that when you have the chance to hit your targets then hit the beach, you’ll be far more productive.
4. Better for Your Career than a Gap Year – If you are serious about getting ahead, but also eager to collect some air miles, once again, Workation packages are the perfect compromise.
5. Inspiration – if your job requires elements of creativity, you may find it hard to stay inspired if you are always working between the same four drab walls. With Workations, you get to experience new cultures and scenery which may allow your mind’s horizons to expand.
6. You Won’t Need a Working Visa – Workations are more of a temporary break than a permanent lifestyle change. So, there is no need to fill out lengthy paperwork before you set off, pack your swimwear, sun cream and laptop, and you’ll be set!
7. Flexibility – Whether you want to take a long haul flight to the other side of the world for a month, hit a new country every week, or split your time between holidaying and workationing, how your workation pans out is totally up to you.

Are You Ready to Join the Workation Travel Trend?

The world is quite literally your oyster with the offer of workation packages. You can set sail to your dream destination and rest assured that you will have a professional and functional environment to work in. The days of working from cafes and hotels with unreliable wi-fi are over! With some packages, you don’t even need to worry about accommodation! Your workation package can include suitable accommodation just a stones-throw away from your new temporary office!

If you are worried about your employer’s reaction to your request to go on a workation, let them know that it isn’t just you that will be reaping the benefits of a Workation. Short workations can be a win-win affair for everyone.

As stress and other mental health issues cost the economy billions through lost productivity and absences, it is time for employers to start looking at the bigger picture in terms of their employee’s welfare.

Plenty of psychology studies have proven that getting a little sun, sea and sand can make us more creative and mentally sharper. It can make us less anxious, boost our mood, and in turn, it improves our physical health too!

If you are more worried about your loved one’s reaction to your announcement that you would like to go on a workation, there are plenty of ways to bring them around to the idea, such as suggesting that you work for one week and go into full holiday-mode the next.

As with every trend, there are a fair few critics of the concept who warn of the danger of distraction of foreign settings and the increased expenditure, but with the right mindset and determination to make the most out of your workation, you can find that the pros vastly outweigh the cons.

To make sure that your workation goes smoothly, plan your schedule carefully, make sure you have fully switched off when you’re not working, get your time zones in check, bring everything you need with you, and most importantly, have fun! After all, that is why you are on a workation!

Work + Vacation Gold Coast Package

If you need a change of scenery or simply want to escape an unwanted season but don’t want to leave your work behind, now you don’t have to! At CoWorking Office we have partnered with one of Australia's leading online travel agencies, iFly.net.au to bring you a great workation package on the Gold Coast. 

Our 1-week workation packages start from $750 per person and include 4-star accommodation at Mantra Legends and provide access to our modern co-working space in Surfers Paradise.  This new way to travel is putting an end to the WFH boredom and providing a much-needed escape for many people who have been caught up in lock-downs. 

Travelling is what we crave right now, to leave the four walls behind and relax on a beach or get back to nature in the Hinterland, otherwise known as the green behind the gold, so kick start your work + vacation on the Gold Coast into gear and relocate for a week, a few weeks or even a month to a destination that's a quick plane trip away.