The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is the latest to embrace the remote working lifestyle that has taken the global working world by storm. The pandemic may be what eventually pushed for the concept to be an attainable – or coveted – reality for many workers. But now, countries are making it easier than ever for you to literally work where you vacation. More Caribbean countries are offering a digital nomad visa to allow for remote work in paradise. Now, the CTO is working alongside Airbnb to take advantage of this “newly enshrined flexibility” with the home-sharing app’s “Live and Work Anywhere” program.
The “Live and Work Anywhere” Campaign in the Caribbean
Photo by Tom Jur on Unsplash
According to CTO, the initiative is to encourage governments and DMOs to create a “one-stop-shop” for remote workers. Gone are the days when employees trudge through a day in their cubicles, saving up for vacation days until they can dip their feet into the Caribbean. The dream isn’t so far-fetched with the new program. The Live and Work Anywhere initiative also hopes to rekindle tourism in countries that took a hard hit in the pandemic, including the Caribbean as a tourism-reliant region.
Stay in a riverside suite with Belize. Image courtesy Sleeping Giant Lodge
“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,” said Faye Gill, CTO Director, Membership Services.
Your choice of the day: pool, or Caribbean Sea? Image via The Lodge at Jaguar Reef
For the Caribbean specifically, Airbnb launched a ‘Work from the Caribbean” campaign that comes with its own landing page promoting destinations in the Caribbean. Belize, which recently launched its digital nomad visa in February, is included amongst Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Guyana, Martinique, Montserrat, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, and Trinidad. With Airbnb having more than six million listings worldwide, the campaign’s reach is bound to spotlight destinations hoping to attract the latest slew of online workers.
Belize as a digital nomad destination
Belize an ideal prospect to live and work remotely is how easy it is to assimilate to the destination. The country’s official language is English, so already there’s one less minor obstacle to face when staying long-term in a foreign country. The country is also technologically savvy, with most rental properties fully equipped with contactless check-in, workstations, and reliable Wi-Fi. Not to mention, Belize’s miniature size makes it easy to explore the country in your downtime.
Venturing out to Moho Caye. Photo by Duarte Dellarole
When staying on the islands, your Zoom call could finish at 11 and you could be at the beach at 11:30. Similarly, when choosing a Digital Nomad Package like The Belize Collection’s, you don’t even need to leave your room to enjoy the mountain views at Sleeping Giant or the barrier reef vistas at Jaguar Reef.
Ready to book your newest remote work location? Check out Airbnb’s Caribbean page here. Header image courtesy The Belize Collection.
