Luring remote workers to the Mother City will be a welcome boost to the city’s coffers. The Mayoral Committee Member, James Vos says the city is on a mission to shorten the unemployment queue and getting remote workers to temporarily relocate to Cape Town, could be a good plan. Vos says the Mother City has so much to offer, and remote workers should consider Cape Town first on their list when they need to make a decision.
Meanwhile, Cape Town Tourism has lauded the campaign by the city and Airbnb, to entice digital nomads to consider Cape Town as a global worker-friendly destination. Airbnb has agreed to market the Mother City online on their platform to thousands of people, who visit their website. The CEO, Enver Duminy says Cape Town has everything to offer.
Global worker-friendly destination
Duminy added, ‘Voted as the leading African city for innovation, Cape Town offers an unparalleled experience for business travellers and digital nomads alike. The work-life balance that our city offers is unique. ”
Luring remote workers to the Mother City- Bucket list destination
He says, “One minute you can sit on one of our beautiful shorelines and the next you’re on top of Table Mountain. The Mountain is the city’s most iconic landmark and the 7th Natural Wonder of the World.”
‘As a bucket list destination, Cape Town continues to be one of the world’s top destinations. Through this partnership with Airbnb along with the City of Cape Town, we want to make sure the world knows that the Mother City is the perfect place for remote working,’ Duminy elaborated.
A new world of travel
At the same time, the Regional Lead for Middle East Africa at Airbnb, Velma Corcoran says Cape Town and South Africa are perfectly positioned to reap the benefits of remote working.
She added, ‘In the 2 years since the pandemic began, a new world of travel has emerged in which many workers are untethered to an office. Together with Cape Town Tourism, we want to make it easier for people to enjoy the newfound flexibility to work and travel. We want to help local communities capture the benefits of tourism.”
Appeal to international digital nomads
Alderman Vos says enacting a Remote Worker Visa is key to increasing South Africa’s appeal to international digital nomads.
READ: Digital nomads find the perfect solution to work and live remotely while traveling the globe
‘Pushing for this visa remains one of my top priorities. President Ramaphosa said early this year it is being looked at. Also, more than a year ago, I submitted a proposal to the National Government for an amendment to Section 11 of the Immigration Act.”
He elaborated, “This relates to an extension of visas beyond 90 days for specific activities. This is because remote workers tend to stay beyond 3 months in a location. They are spending up to R50 000,’ he added.
Vos says National Government has yet to make an official announcement on the issuing of a Remote Worker Visa.
‘As a City, we are leading from the front by working with accommodation providers and organisations such as the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (Fedhasa) on product pricing and readiness that aligns with the needs of remote workers,’ he said.
