Airbnb lists BVI as a viable destination for ‘digital nomads’
As the Caribbean tourism industry continues to recover from the impact of COVID-19, Airbnb has partnered with the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) to promote certain Caribbean territories, such as the Virgin Islands, as a viable destinations for digital nomads to live and work anywhere.
This is done through Airbnb’s ‘Live and Work Anywhere’ platform which was launched last Thursday and is part of an ongoing initiative to continue working with governments and Destination Management Organisations (DMOs).
This helps to create a one-stop-shop for remote workers and encourages them to try new locations to work while helping to revive tourism and provide economic support to communities after years of travel restrictions.
A recent press release by Airbnb and the CTO highlights that the campaign in the Caribbean seeks to promote various destinations that are members of its organisation, through a landing page on the Airbnb website that provides information on digital nomad visas for each respective country.
“It also highlights the best Airbnb options to stay in and work from. This promotional landing page will be unique to others worldwide and will highlight the following 16 participating destinations as options for Digital Nomads: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Guyana, Martinique, Montserrat, St Eustatius, St Kitts, St Lucia, St Maarten, Trinidad,” the press release said.
Meanwhile, CTO Director of Membership Services, Faye Gill, said the bounce-back of Caribbean tourism means people are seizing the opportunities to work remotely in the region.
“The steady recovery of Caribbean tourism has been driven by innovation and a willingness to seize opportunities, like the rise of digital nomads and development of long-stay programmes to diversify the visitor experience in the region. The CTO is pleased that Airbnb has identified the Caribbean as one to highlight in its global Live and Work Anywhere program, and in doing so, support the continued success of the region,” Gill said.
The Airbnb Policy Manager for Central America and the Caribbean Carlos Muñoz also noted that Airbnb welcomes the partnership with the CTO to help build and enhance different Caribbean destinations.
“Airbnb is proud to partner again with the CTO in order to keep promoting different destinations in the Caribbean so people can work and travel within. This campaign is a new joint effort that will continue to help with the promotion of the wonderful region,” Carlos Muñoz said.
This partnership is one of the many initiatives in the CTO’s ongoing programme to help its members rebuild tourism and shine a light on digital nomad programmes in their destinations.
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What about work permits, trade licenses, payment of SS and NHI, etc.
Difficult with the slow Internet and deficient service. Let alone the long time visa process in the BVI. This an unrealistic venture. Pie in the sky project.
I have to say I think the internet service is massively improved. Its expensive but fast and reliable in CGB.
Where do you live?
Where do you live?
… but our Immigration department will not permit digital nomads to live and work in the BVI?
Ha ha, that’s funny! You will not “belong” in the BVI, nor will you “be long” in the BVI. And working online is great here, except for the slow or No internet and power cuts!
In the BVI is that visitors are welcome to visit, spend money in the BVI, do not work or take money out of the BVI and must LEAVE if they stop spending money or try to work. Remember that this is the essence of the BVI’s little secret!
BVI has not been welcoming tourism since covid.
I wasn’t aware that (undetected) COVID was around 40 years ago!
There is no mechanism for this in place here. There was supposed to be a digital nomad visa put in place but it was abandoned. No digital nomads will come to a place with slow, crummy Internet and where you get kicked out after 30 days.
All this bitterness and yet you people just won’t leave.
You see it! They want the BVI to cater to their every needs and send their proceeds to their homeland. BVI don’t owe them a darn thing!
The problem is you think BVI owes you something. And because of that entitled mentality you will not go anywhere.
you got to be one the ex premier’s cronies. cos u got nuff mouth and all it full of is crap
Yep, you got me. So when are you leaving?
What about renting a home without the proper commercial trade license. I was always told it was against the law. Are all AirB&B in violation?
Of course it won’t be against the law for all.
Welcome on my boat, single cabin list on airbnb