Working from Anywhere Trend Prompts Jakarta to Develop Digital Nomad Island in Thousand Islands

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted enormous changes and adaptations to lifestyles, including the working culture in the office. Now, the culture of working from home (WFH) has become commonplace.

Jakarta also has the Thousand Islands with a variety of interesting potentials that can also be a reference for digital nomads

WFH then developed into Work From Anywhere (WFA) in line with the easing of isolation regulations.

Seeing the changes and adaptations of the lifestyle, the Jakarta Government launched Digital Nomad Island as a form of its commitment to developing the potential of the Thousand Islands which is in line with the trend of WFA in attractive locations.

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Jakarta Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Disparekraf) Head Andhika Permata said that Bidadari Island was chosen to be the pilot project for the Digital Nomad Island concept.

Later, it would be developed on other islands, such as Untung Jawa, Tidung Kecil, and Pramuka (inhabited islands).

“In Indonesia, Bali is a favorite destination for workers who choose WFA or it can be called digital nomads. In other countries, Portugal's Madeira and Canary Islands to the Maldives are friendly islands for digital nomads to work while on vacation. Jakarta also has the Thousand Islands with a variety of interesting potentials that can also be a reference for digital nomads. This is a positive change in how we can work anywhere and stay productive," he said during the launching of Jakarta's 495th Anniversary as well as Digital Nomad Island on Bidadari Island, Thousand Islands, as quoted from Jakarta PPID Press Release, Tuesday (5/24).

He stated the Government is optimistic that 113 islands in Thousand Islands can be utilized and developed into Digital Nomad Island.

Moreover, the travel time from the main island of Jakarta to the nearest island only takes about 20-30 minutes, which is still considered easy to reach for digital nomads. The Government had mapped out what digital nomads need to support their activities.

The first is transportation. The Government would add sea transportation routes to and from Thousand Islands with a fixed schedule and more affordable prices.

The Government hoped to build cooperation with the community and startups in providing additional modes of transportation.

"Second, connectivity. We will improve internet connectivity which is part of the Digital Nomad Island program. We will also add JakWifi points on public islands and encourage internet providers to collaborate in providing connectivity," he conveyed.

Third, accommodation, by cooperating with residents to improve their homestay facilities. Fourth, basic needs including electric supply, by cooperating with PLN and private sectors to provide electricity needs.

In addition, the Government would guide residents to fix basic needs, such as increasing the number of clean water filters.

"Fifth, co-working space. The Government will prepare facilities that can be used by digital nomads to work. Sixth, entertainment, by providing a series of entertainment events which has the potential to attract more digital nomads to Thousand Islands, such as the Indie Music Festival. Of course, we are welcoming various parties to be collaborators. Let's collaborate to create an attractive Digital Nomad Island in Thousand Islands," he uttered.

For information, Jakarta is home to startups, unicorns, and decacorns. Until Semester I-2020, Savills Indonesia recorded that Jakarta has 180 co-working spaces that offer a more comfortable and affordable flexy table concept.

Besides, this city also has many coffee shops which are also a favorite place for digital nomads to work. With the current conditions, Thousand Islands has great potential to be a reference location for digital nomads.