IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2024i1p130-d1554772.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Post-COVID-19 Sojourn Choices: Exploring the Distribution and Preferences of Chinese Digital Nomads Based on the Lifestyle Migration Theory

Author

Listed:
  • Chenrui Yang

    (School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Jun Shao

    (School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Yamin Zhao

    (School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China)

Abstract

With the advancement of digital technologies and the gradual waning of the pandemic’s impact, digital nomads have attracted significant attention from academia and industry as an emerging social group. Existing studies regarding the distribution and destination selection preferences of digital nomads remain lacking. This study aims to investigate the distribution patterns and destination selection preferences of Chinese digital nomads, guided by the lifestyle migration theory. Specifically, we address the following research questions: Where do Chinese digital nomads choose to sojourn post-pandemic, and what factors influence their destination preferences? Using a qualitative approach based on grounded theory, we analyze text data from China’s largest video-based social platform to uncover key factors shaping digital nomads’ choices. The findings reveal that Chinese digital nomads consider five key dimensions when selecting a destination: basic living conditions, social environment, work opportunities, travel experience, and local integrated environment. Notably, compared to traditional migrant groups, digital nomads demonstrate stronger online and sharing behaviors in work and social interactions. Additionally, “travel” is identified as a new category. This study makes a theoretical contribution by expanding the application of lifestyle migration theory to digital nomadism, offering new insights into contemporary migration behaviors. It also provides practical guidance for travel destination planning and management to better accommodate the preferences of this emerging group.

Suggested Citation

  • Chenrui Yang & Jun Shao & Yamin Zhao, 2024. "Post-COVID-19 Sojourn Choices: Exploring the Distribution and Preferences of Chinese Digital Nomads Based on the Lifestyle Migration Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-25, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2024:i:1:p:130-:d:1554772
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/1/130/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/1/130/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fabiola Mancinelli & Jennie Germann Molz, 2024. "Moving with and against the state: digital nomads and frictional mobility regimes," Mobilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(2), pages 189-207, March.
    2. Paul Green, 2020. "Disruptions of self, place and mobility: digital nomads in Chiang Mai, Thailand," Mobilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(3), pages 431-445, June.
    3. Max Holleran, 2022. "Pandemics and geoarbitrage: digital nomadism before and after COVID-19," City, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(5-6), pages 831-847, November.
    4. Matthew Hayes, 2015. "Moving South: The Economic Motives and Structural Context of North America's Emigrants in Cuenca, Ecuador," Mobilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 10(2), pages 267-284, April.
    5. Menghan Zhang & Yue Yu & Meizi Liu & Jingyi Liu, 2024. "Opportunities for China’s Agricultural Heritage Systems under the “Digital Nomadism” Trend—A Stakeholder-Weighted Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-21, March.
    6. Dave Cook, 2020. "The freedom trap: digital nomads and the use of disciplining practices to manage work/leisure boundaries," Information Technology & Tourism, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 355-390, September.
    7. Michaela Caroline Benson, 2013. "Postcoloniality and Privilege in New Lifestyle Flows: The Case of North Americans in Panama," Mobilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(3), pages 313-330, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Bednorz, Jan, 2024. "Working from anywhere? Work from here! Approaches to attract digital nomads," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    2. Tiberius, Victor & Chen, Nicole & Bartels, Mirko & Oelsnitz, Dietrich von der, 2024. "Breaking out! A netnography study on motives of a digital nomad lifestyle," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    3. Lacárcel, Francisco Javier S. & Huete, Raquel & Zerva, Konstantina, 2024. "Decoding digital nomad destination decisions through user-generated content," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    4. Juan Parreño-Castellano & Josefina Domínguez-Mujica & Claudio Moreno-Medina, 2022. "Reflections on Digital Nomadism in Spain during the COVID-19 Pandemic—Effect of Policy and Place," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-19, December.
    5. Ulrike Gretzel & Matthias Fuchs & Rodolfo Baggio & Wolfram Hoepken & Rob Law & Julia Neidhardt & Juho Pesonen & Markus Zanker & Zheng Xiang, 2020. "e-Tourism beyond COVID-19: a call for transformative research," Information Technology & Tourism, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 187-203, June.
    6. Hila Zaban, 2020. "The real estate foothold in the Holy Land: Transnational gentrification in Jerusalem," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 57(15), pages 3116-3134, November.
    7. Viorica Mirela Stefan-Duicu & Mihaela Sudacevschi, 2023. "Placement of the Professional Judgment in the Current Remote Working Environment," Global Economic Observer, "Nicolae Titulescu" University of Bucharest, Faculty of Economic Sciences;Institute for World Economy of the Romanian Academy, vol. 11(1), pages 126-132, May.
    8. Luisa Fernanda Tribiño & Leonardo Garavito, 2018. "Debates contemporáneos sobre turismo, tomo IV. Ética y buen vivir. Rflexiones actuales para la planificación y gestión del turismo," Books, Universidad Externado de Colombia, Facultad de Administración de Empresas Turísticas y Hoteleras, number 29.
    9. Hila Zaban, 2017. "City of go(l)d: Spatial and cultural effects of high-status Jewish immigration from Western countries on the Baka neighbourhood of Jerusalem," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 54(7), pages 1539-1558, May.
    10. Linao, Patricia Aida & Heimtun, Bente & Morgan, Nigel, 2024. "Digital nomadism, gender and racial power relations," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    11. Dan PAIUC & Andra Nicoleta ILIESCU & Ruxandra BEJINARU, 2024. "Cultural Intelligence: A Core Competence Of Knowmads In Multicultural Business Environment," Management Research and Practice, Research Centre in Public Administration and Public Services, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 16(1), pages 5-25, March.
    12. Miao, Li & Yang, Fiona X. & Im, Jinyoung & Zhang, Qiao, 2024. "Flexwork and flextravel," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    13. Claire Estagnasié, 2023. "‘Working the time’: Time self-management practices of remote workers," Post-Print hal-04450916, HAL.
    14. Igor Mavrin & Corina Turșie & Marius Lupșa Matichescu, 2024. "Exploring Sustainable Tourism Through Virtual Travel: Generation Z’s Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-27, December.
    15. Aisha Sobey, 2023. "Obliged smart freedom: The Singaporean experience of advanced neoliberal-developmental governance," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 60(16), pages 3336-3352, December.
    16. María Luisa Méndez & Gabriel Otero & Felipe Link & Ernesto López Morales & Modesto Gayo, 2021. "Neighbourhood cohesion as a form of privilege," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 58(8), pages 1691-1711, June.
    17. Hongjie Wang & Xiaolu Gao & Zening Xu & Yuan Li & Xinyue Zhang & Mark W. Rosenberg, 2022. "Exploring the Climate Temperature Effects on Settlement Intentions of Older Migrants: Evidence from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-15, April.
    18. Yuan Tang & Tara Rava Zolnikov, 2021. "Examining Opportunities, Challenges and Quality of Life in International Retirement Migration," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-13, November.
    19. Inge Hermann & Cody Morris Paris, 2020. "Digital Nomadism: the nexus of remote working and travel mobility," Information Technology & Tourism, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 329-334, September.
    20. David Matarrita-Cascante & Hugo Zunino & Johanna Sagner-Tapia, 2017. "Amenity/Lifestyle Migration in the Chilean Andes: Understanding the Views of “The Other” and Its Effects on Integrated Community Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-19, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2024:i:1:p:130-:d:1554772. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.