Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, the UAE
Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah reopens its doors after an extensive refurbishment, offering 203 keys in total including 149 guestrooms and 54 suites. The hotel’s nine restaurants and lounges have also undergone transformation, along with its extensive outdoor space.
The suites are complemented by Waldorf Astoria’s personalised service, with each guest assigned a personal concierge who attends to every detail of their stay from pre-arrival to post-departure.
Little ones get their own junior check-in, special amenities and a children’s club with a varied, fun-filled programme. The hotel’s unique concierge programme, Little Hotelier, allows children to step into the world of hospitality for a day and learn new skills while creating beautiful memories during their stay.
Moxy Putrajaya, Malaysia
Located in Putrajaya, Malaysia is the new 480-key Moxy Putrajaya, just steps away from IOI City Mall, South-east Asia’s retail giant and in proximity to Kuala Lumpur International Airport and major highways connecting Klang Valley and beyond.
The hotel’s lobby features a multi-functional work and interactive social space, and facilities comprising a fitness centre, all-day dining restaurant, sky bar, and event venues.
Wyndham Jomtien Pattaya, Thailand
The newest addition to the Wyndham portfolio, Wyndham Jomtien Pattaya is the brand’s largest property in Thailand to date.
Boasting 630 guestrooms, the hotel features a range of amenities including three outdoor tropical plunge pools, children’s pool, swim-up bar and jacuzzi, as well as a spa, restaurants, 550m² ballroom, and meeting venues.
Located 32km from U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport and 125km from Suvarnabhumi Airport, Wyndham Jomtien Pattaya is also just moments away from Jomtien Beach, and attractions such as the Pattaya Floating Market, Tiger Park, and Nong Nooch Tropical Garden.
Hotel Sosei Sapporo, Japan
Set in the Sosei East neighbourhood, Hotel Sosei Sapporo pays tribute to Japanese traditions and showcases historic breweries.
Featuring 118 rooms, guests can enjoy Sapporo beer, as well as Hokkaido wines and locally brewed sake at the hotel bar – even the bath salts in the rooms are made from hop (also called ‘sleeping grass’) for a relaxing bath before retiring for the day.
The onsite restaurant serves up local culinary dishes and a wide selection of seafood, purchased at the fish auctions at the city market.
In his new role, Yong aims to revolutionise the hotel’s operations and guest experience through innovative technology integration while maintaining a high level of personalised service.
Previously general manager at OZO Chaweng Samui, she brings over 13 years of hotel management experience to her new role, having effectively led teams in various hotel types, including boutique hotels and luxury properties, across Thailand’s prime tourist destinations such as Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Phuket, and Hua Hin.
Japan is eyeing digital nomads as a way to increase the number of wealthy inbound travellers and tackle overtourism, but challenges, such as visa criteria and stiff competition from neighbouring destinations, remain.
The Immigration Services Agency will offer a six-month visa for digital nomads from the end of March. Digital nomads from 49 countries will be eligible to apply at their nearest Japanese consulate or embassy provided they earn 10 million yen (US$68,300) annually and have private health insurance coverage during their stay. Their spouse and children will also be granted entry.
Although the visa is not eligible for renewal, it may be applied for again six months after the digital nomad leaves the country.
The visa is part of Japanese government efforts to boost economic growth and consumption, particularly through attracting travellers with higher incomes. The Japan Tourism Agency’s Basic Plan for the Promotion of a Tourism Nation, which was launched in April 2023, aims to increase annual tourism consumption, particularly in the regions, to 22 trillion yen annually by 2025.
In recent years, workations and digital nomads have been considered an increasingly important component of this work. In 2023, the Japan National Tourism Organization classified workations as a priority tourism type and the Japan Tourism Agency established the Telework Workation Public-Private Promotion Council.
The council has been supporting telework nationwide via collaboration between public and private sectors, resulting in the proliferation of co-working spaces and high-speed Wi-Fi as well as more accommodation offering dedicated working spaces. Even national parks have workstations and Wi-Fi through recent government initiatives.
With Japan’s domestic workation market expected to be worth 108.4 billion yen by the end of March, up from 69.9 billion yen in 2021, according to Statista, Japan is seeing the potential of welcoming digital nomads from overseas. More than 35 million people are working as digital nomads globally, according to The Japan Digital Nomads Association, and by 2030, the number is expected to reach one billion.
In practical terms, Japan has never been more equipped to cater for remote workers, but experts point to the limitations of its digital nomad visa compared to the offerings of other countries in the region.
South Korea’s digital nomad visa, which became available on January 1 this year, requires applicants to have had a minimum income of 85 million won (US$64,000) in 2023 and hold personal medical coverage. These terms are similar to that of Japan’s but successful applicants can stay for up to one year with the possibility of a one-year extension.
Malaysia’s digital nomad visa also allows remote workers to stay for up to one year, provided they work in a digital domain, such as IT or content creation, and show proof of annual income of at least US$24,000 — much lower than Japan’s level — and private health insurance. The same requirements and offer apply to the Philippines’ digital nomad visa, launched in 2023.
Still, Japan remains hopeful that strong pent-up demand for its tourism offering will entice digital nomads wishing to experience its off-the-beaten-track destinations that can be appreciated with more time.
In October 2023, Fukuoka’s local government invited 50 digital nomads from 24 countries to experience what it would be like to work in and explore the city. Trip participants stayed in hotels equipped with co-working spaces, ate in restaurants serving local dishes, and joined cultural activities such as watching a Bon Odori dance.
Kagoshima Prefecture has unveiled a range of workations promoting wellness, creativity and inspiration in a bid to attract digital nomads. In addition to high-grade working facilities at resort hotels, ryokan inns and co-working spaces, offerings include forest bathing on the World Heritage Site of Yakushima, well-being experiences with horses, matcha tasting among green tea fields, and watching traditional samurai armour being made.
In Nagano Prefecture, the Karuizawa Report Telework Committee, a private sector group composed of tourism and business groups, is working to attract digital nomads interested in spending time in nature and taking part in activities such as hiking, skiing and stargazing.
Although Japan has stricter digital nomad visa criteria than nearby destinations, public and private organisations are working to make every region of the country as appealing as possible, to create a strong selling point amid this competitive market.