Budapest has claimed the top spot as the world’s best city for ‘workcations’ in 2024, with Singapore following closely at 7th place globally and leading among Asian destinations. The ranking, which evaluated cities on 10 criteria including climate, transport, living costs, and broadband speed, reflects the growing trend of remote work-travel integration.
With 84% of hybrid workers now considering extending their holidays to work remotely, cities like Singapore are positioning themselves as ideal hubs for this new breed of digital nomads, outpacing regional competitors such as Jakarta, Mumbai, Manila, and Hong Kong.
Workcations: A New Travel Trend
‘Workcations,’ where travellers combine work and leisure at their destinations to prolong holidays, have exploded in popularity since hybrid working became the de facto working model for many. Thanks to the proliferation of hybrid working and cloud technology, employees can now work from wherever they feel most productive. More than four in five (84%) hybrid workers have, or would consider, extending a holiday to work remotely from their chosen destination.
New research from International Workplace Group, the world’s largest operator of flexible and hybrid workspace, has revealed the rising popularity of workcations among office workers, with three quarters (74%) of workers viewing a ‘work from anywhere policy’ as a significant factor when considering a new job. The same number (75%) said that the freedom of being able to work from anywhere boosts their job satisfaction.
Singapore Rises in Global ‘Workcation’ Rankings – (70.5/100)
Surpassing other major Asian cities like Jakarta (#8), Mumbai (#14), Manila (#16) and Hong Kong (#19), Singapore climbed an impressive 14 spots from last year to clinch 7th place in this year’s top ten, by merit of its high scores in five key areas – broadband quality, food, happiness, culture, and sustainability. Home to the second-best airport in the world, the metropolitan city serves as the global gateway to Southeast Asia, perfect for digital nomads and travellers looking to further explore this dynamic region.
Nicknamed the ‘Garden City,’ Singapore boasts a harmonious blend of urban development and verdant greenery, with its abundant green spaces providing respite from the urban hustle and bustle. Named the happiest country in Asia for the second year running and well on track to offer islandwide 5G coverage by 2025, it’s unsurprising that Singapore has become a thriving hub for digital nomads and hybrid workers alike.
The ‘Little Red Dot’ also punches above its weight as a culinary and events destination, enhancing its appeal for both work and play. Singapore came in 7th for countries with the highest number of Michelin-rated restaurants per capita, and has hosted major events such as the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix and Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour – the singer’s only Southeast Asia stop on her world tour.
Top 10 Best Cities for Workcations
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