New Zealand eases visa rules for \digital nomads\ to boost tourism

Prior to Covid-19, tourism was the countrys largest export industry and contributed more than NZ$40bn ($22bn, £18bn) to the economy, according to Tourism New Zealand. But this figure has dwindled in recent years in the wake of the pandemic.

It is part of the wider economic hardship the country has been facing. Interest rate hikes fuelled by high inflation have seen economic growth in the country stagnate, leading to a rise in unemployment and the number of people seeking jobs abroad.

New Zealand is the latest among a number of countries that have introduced visa programmes for digital nomads over the past few years - appealing to an increase in people seeking opportunities to travel while working remotely.

The trend took off in the 2010s, mostly among young workers who were looking to escape their daily routine. It was further bolstered by the Covid-19 pandemic, when worldwide lockdowns led to a shift in attitudes toward remote work.

Countries offering digital nomad visas include Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Spain and Portugal.

But the presence of digital nomads in some places has also sparked debate. In the South African city of Cape Town, detractors say the influx of remote workers has led to an increase in costs.

The influx of visitors to countries such as Spain and Greece have also fuelled heated protests against over-tourism.