A new YouGov Survey has found that booking.com and Airbnb are the most popular booking platforms for digital nomads.
For this poll a ‘Digital Nomad’ was defined as someone who travels freely for an extended period (at least one week), while working remotely using technology and the internet.
YouGov Surveys have found that almost one in three (29 per cent) Australians have previously worked as a digital nomad, and of those who hadn’t worked this way previously, 41 per cent would consider this lifestyle.
Among those who had previously been, or would consider to be a digital nomad, the top two platforms preferred for booking accommodation was squarely Booking.com and Airbnb. Almost a third (30 per cent) would opt for Booking.com, while nearly a quarter (24 per cent) liked Airbnb. Tripadvisor and trivago were the next most popular platforms, both with a lesser 7 per cent.
Those aged 18-24 indicated that they slightly preferred Airbnb over Booking.com as a booking platform (35 percent vs. 34 per cent).
For both digital nomads and considerers, 30 per cent said that they’d be most likely to stay in a short-term holiday rental, such as an Airbnb, while living in this travel/working arrangement.
Following, 28 per cent said they’d most like to stay in a hotel, while 26 per cent opted for serviced apartments
through real estate agents.
Hostels were only the preferred accommodation type for 9 per cent.
When asked to rank their top three priorities when looking to book accommodation as a digital nomad, almost two thirds (61 per cent) said that cost was in their top three considerations. 52 per cent highlighted access to fast and reliable internet. 51 per cent indicated that location was a top three priority, and 50 per cent said that safety of the area was one of their top three concerns.
Comparatively, only 37 per cent selected access to amenities (e.g. laundry, air condition etc.) as of top three importance. Another 26 per cent said they prioritised reviews and recommendations, with only 23 per cent
ranking a suitable and dedicated workspace in their top three.
