Digital nomadism as a form of travel: A phenomenological study of going on a workation

Ekaterina Koll; Xingyu Wang; Michael S. Lin

doi:10.1016/j.tourman.2025.105185

Digital nomadism as a form of travel: A phenomenological study of going on a workation

Ekaterina Koll, Xingyu Wang, Michael S. Lin

Research output: Journal article publication › Journal article › Academic research › peer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The increased mobility of employed knowledge workers allows them to temporarily engage in leisure travel while working remotely, thereby experiencing the digital nomad lifestyle. This phenomenon is gaining traction due to the rising popularity and acceptance of hybrid work. This study revisits the relationship between digital nomadism and tourism, extending it to encompass a new form of travel in addition to lifestyle mobility. To enhance our understanding and describe the essence of this new travel form—going on a workation—we employ longitudinal analysis from a transcendental phenomenology perspective. Four key dimensions of going on a workation are identified and discussed in relation to travel research and stress theories.

Original language	English
Article number	105185
Journal	Tourism Management
Volume	110
Early online date	23 Mar 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2025.105185
Publication status	Published - Oct 2025

Keywords

Digital nomadism
Phenomenology
Travel stress
Work-life balance
Workation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Development
Transportation
Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management
Strategy and Management

More information

10.1016/j.tourman.2025.105185

Cite this

@article{1e776df1b00e4eb9b04f0e7aa696edab,

title = "Digital nomadism as a form of travel: A phenomenological study of going on a workation",

abstract = "The increased mobility of employed knowledge workers allows them to temporarily engage in leisure travel while working remotely, thereby experiencing the digital nomad lifestyle. This phenomenon is gaining traction due to the rising popularity and acceptance of hybrid work. This study revisits the relationship between digital nomadism and tourism, extending it to encompass a new form of travel in addition to lifestyle mobility. To enhance our understanding and describe the essence of this new travel form—going on a workation—we employ longitudinal analysis from a transcendental phenomenology perspective. Four key dimensions of going on a workation are identified and discussed in relation to travel research and stress theories.",

keywords = "Digital nomadism, Phenomenology, Travel stress, Work-life balance, Workation",

author = "Ekaterina Koll and Xingyu Wang and Lin, \{Michael S.\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025",

year = "2025",

month = oct,

doi = "10.1016/j.tourman.2025.105185",

language = "English",

volume = "110",

journal = "Tourism Management",

issn = "0261-5177",

publisher = "Elsevier Ltd",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Digital nomadism as a form of travel: A phenomenological study of going on a workation

AU - Koll, Ekaterina

AU - Wang, Xingyu

AU - Lin, Michael S.

PY - 2025/10

Y1 - 2025/10

N2 - The increased mobility of employed knowledge workers allows them to temporarily engage in leisure travel while working remotely, thereby experiencing the digital nomad lifestyle. This phenomenon is gaining traction due to the rising popularity and acceptance of hybrid work. This study revisits the relationship between digital nomadism and tourism, extending it to encompass a new form of travel in addition to lifestyle mobility. To enhance our understanding and describe the essence of this new travel form—going on a workation—we employ longitudinal analysis from a transcendental phenomenology perspective. Four key dimensions of going on a workation are identified and discussed in relation to travel research and stress theories.

AB - The increased mobility of employed knowledge workers allows them to temporarily engage in leisure travel while working remotely, thereby experiencing the digital nomad lifestyle. This phenomenon is gaining traction due to the rising popularity and acceptance of hybrid work. This study revisits the relationship between digital nomadism and tourism, extending it to encompass a new form of travel in addition to lifestyle mobility. To enhance our understanding and describe the essence of this new travel form—going on a workation—we employ longitudinal analysis from a transcendental phenomenology perspective. Four key dimensions of going on a workation are identified and discussed in relation to travel research and stress theories.

KW - Digital nomadism

KW - Phenomenology

KW - Travel stress

KW - Work-life balance

KW - Workation

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105000461283

U2 - 10.1016/j.tourman.2025.105185

DO - 10.1016/j.tourman.2025.105185

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:105000461283

SN - 0261-5177

VL - 110

JO - Tourism Management

JF - Tourism Management

M1 - 105185

ER -

Digital nomadism as a form of travel: A phenomenological study of going on a workation

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

More information

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this