Workation – A new concept in Indian Tourism

Pandemic & Lockdown – India

People’s lifestyles were drastically altered as a result of the pandemic and lockdown. Many people did not have to go to the office every day; most of the people were working from home, which meant that people were forced to confine themselves to their homes. This had a negative impact on people’s physical health as well as their mental health.
Almost all countries witnessed the impact of COVID-19 on various industries. We are still suffering from the impact of the pandemic on the global economy.
During the lockdown, mainly the Indian IT industry has introduced the WFH (Work from Home) model so that clients can continue smooth operations without compromising quality or productivity, which has given the world a new horizon.

Impact of COVID-19 on Indian Tourism Industry

The COVID-19 pandemic reduced the movement of people from one country to another, which reduced the income of people dependent on tourism and adversely affected their livelihoods.
As soon as the COVID-19 lockdown eased, many started heading towards the hills or mountains, not only for travel but also to shift their workstations to the hills.

A New Concept of Workplace & Indian Tourism

The latest buzzwords in Indian Tourism are Workation,Workcation,Work from Hills,Work from Mountains and Staycation. People were intrigued by these new buzzwords in the year 2020.
Workation means working while on vacation in the offbeat place. The name is derived from a combination of two English words (Work+ Vacation). I found this new concept of vacation and work altogether very interesting and became interested in understanding it. Still having some confusions But I have tried to share some of my ideas with you all through this blog post. This new feature has become a good option for those who are fed up with busy urban life. Definitely this new concept is going to revive the tourism industry because tourism was very badly affected by the COVID pandemic.

Checklist before choosing any Workation/Workcation

The important things to keep in mind

• Book a place (homestay or hostel) in a calm and quiet area where you can enjoy nature and attend office meetings without noise.
• Inquire about the local transportation system, the nearest market and ATM, the nearest medical facilities, and the weather in the area where you will be staying. The place should be safe for you. If an emergency occurs, a hospital or health centre is absolutely necessary.
• Power backup: This is one of the most crucial points. If it is not available, then it will definitely have a great impact on your work schedule.
• Should keep extra power banks on hand in case of a power outage.
• Ensure that workplace is secure: Use a VPN and enforce Multi-Factor Authentication Against cyber threats.
• Need to check on what network works best in that remote workplace and ask the homestay/hostel/Resort owner about the internet connection and speed of the internet.
• If you can drive, take your own car. If you are not interested in driving, rent a car from a local travel agency. However, rental cars are not available everywhere.
• Ask the owner about the amenities, laundry facility, and sanitation you need during your stay.
• Try to avoid polythene and plastic items like plastic mineral water bottles, chip packets, etc. because these are non-biodegradable and unhealthy for the environment. So, these should not be used.
• Lastly, you must obtain information about the local COVID-19 rules from the local authority where you are booking a workplace (it could be a homestay or hostel) before travelling to that location. Carry proof of vaccination and booster doses, as well as your identification (voter ID card, driver’s license, Aadhaar card), with you at all times.

Benefits of Workation/Workcation

• Breathe fresh air. Being on the mountaintops allows you to live far from pollution and experience air that is free of toxic gases.
• Feel at peace and quiet.
• This type of workplace not only boosts productivity but also generates new ideas to put into action.
• Stay relaxed and active.
• Better resistance to stress.
• Exploring new offbeat places.
• Out of the comfort zone.
• Enjoy home-made local foods.
• There is an opportunity to make friends with new people and to explore new cultures.
• Return home with fresh energy.
• More opportunities for balancing work and leisure.
• This is also the new face of sustainable ecotourism.

Drawbacks of Workation/Workcation

• This is not an excuse to work from your bed all day, as it can also be harmful to your health. Therefore, we should have a dedicated workspace during your workation.
• It is difficult to adjust to the normal mode of work because this is not a true holiday, so opportunities for relaxation are limited.
• Distractions: While working in the mountains, it is natural for one to be distracted by the natural beauty of the surrounding area. Hence, it makes it difficult to concentrate on work.
• Time management is essential while you work from the mountains.
• Because this is not cheap, consider your overall budget.
• It’s difficult to maintain working hours in different time zones.
• Remote work heavily depends on high-speed Internet connectivity. So, if the connection is unstable, all efforts are futile. 

Leisure activities apart from professional work

Leisure activities are best done in the afternoon (during the lunch break) and on weekends.

• Nearest Tourist Attractions
• Nature & Village Walk
• Meditation, Yoga & Physical exercise
• Biking (If it is available)
• Fishing
• Paragliding

Popular Destinations for Workation/Workcation in India

Some Indian states’ tourism departments and tour operators offer Workation packages for the following popular destinations: You can contact them directly or look up the information you require online.

The number of employees looking for Work from Home opportunities has increased drastically in recent years. This new travel trend for homestay owners and tour operators has brought a new ray of hope to the tourism industry. This kind of working atmosphere is an unparalleled lifetime experience. This is the perfect time to plan the workplace from the mountain. Don’t miss the opportunity.  But still, I have a question in mind: Can work and vacation be together? I think this new travel trend needs deep understanding and real experience.

Related Blogpost(s)

• Tea Tourism – North Bengal & Sikkim
• OffBeat Travel & My Understanding

Source of my knowledge

• Workation- the newest trend in travel?