Archetypal Digital Nomads’ Typology and Implications for Tourism Destinations

Authors: Rainoldi, M., Buhalis, D., Ladkin, A., Egger, R.

Journal: Journal of Travel Research

Publication Date: 01/01/2026

eISSN: 1552-6763

ISSN: 0047-2875

DOI: 10.1177/00472875261499736

Abstract:

Digital nomadism, characterized by the integration of work and travel, is reshaping how mobile visitors engage with tourism destinations, services, and infrastructure. Drawing on 25 empirically derived work-leisure boundary management practices identified from 224 digital diaries and 32 praxiographic interviews, this study applies archetypal analysis to develop a typology of six digital nomad archetypes. The findings reveal that different configurations of temporal, spatial, material, social, and psycho-emotional practices produce distinct patterns of destination and service engagement. The study advances tourism theory by explaining heterogeneity within digital nomad lifestyle mobility through a practice-based perspective, showing how tourism resources acquire different functions according to work-leisure boundary configurations. The resulting typology explains variations in the use of accommodation, coworking spaces, digital infrastructure, and local services, providing actionable insights for destination planning, hospitality service design, infrastructure development, and tourism policy.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/42497/

Source: Scopus