The Millennial Travel Agent: Going Digital Nomad

Forget a boring home office in the suburbs or a cubicle devoid of personality. Instead, you may be daydreaming about sitting poolside, responding to client emails and calls from your laptop and smartphone, while sipping an ice-cold beverage.

This is the dream of many travel professionals who are curious about those “digital nomads” that live the so-called laptop lifestyle.

Location-independent remote workers exist in all industries, and ours is uniquely suited for this type of setup. While it is indeed exciting and appealing in myriad ways, reality isn’t always quite so idyllic.

Before diving into the laptop lifestyle, it’s important to understand what it is—and is not.

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While much of the U.S. braces for yet another wintry blast, I’m writing this article from a koi pond garden terrace in the historic center of Chiang Mai, Thailand, while sipping an iced latte.

Life is Good!

Believe it or not, it’s often less expensive to be based from exotic destinations than it is to live in many parts of the U.S. When I left Miami to start IntroverTravels, I was paying $1,800 per month for a studio apartment. Meanwhile, my entire lifestyle in southeast Asia—including housing, food, transportation, and entertainment—amounts to less than half the cost of just the rent in Miami!

And let’s be honest: Life in an exotic locale is undeniably more interesting. Each day presents new flavors and smells, a different way of life and cultural encounters that expand one’s worldview.

Against my introverted tendencies, I make an effort to strike up conversations with other remote workers because it’s astonishing who you’ll meet along the way. I’ve befriended prolific travel writers, bloggers who have monetized their online platforms into six- and seven-figure businesses, a best-selling author and many others whose non-traditional paths to success are truly inspiring.

Perhaps best of all, I develop genuine relationships with my local DMC suppliers. I often dine with them, meet their families and go on adventures to brainstorm new ideas for clients. I’m able to experience the destination from a local’s perspective, which no familiarization trip could ever accomplish.

And Now... A Dose of Reality

Lest you believe that remote working life is all about poolside offices and umbrella drinks, the reality is that it can be quite difficult at times.

Loneliness is an obvious challenge. A few months is often too little to develop close new friendships, yet it’s a long time to be away from family and friends. Apps like Travello are helpful for finding new friends on the road, while Whatsapp and Skype make home seem a bit closer, but there’s no substitute for meeting friends for Sunday brunch or a dinner with family.

And while cultural immersion is exciting and educational, one must quickly get accustomed to a life of near-constant micro-humiliations. But fear not, as each minor embarrassment or cultural misstep molds you into a more cultured human being and a stronger travel advisor.

Building a Business From Abroad

Perhaps the biggest challenge to remote work is the work itself. Think of the bandwidth it takes to run your own business from the stability of your everyday life. You’ll certainly need strong wifi, probably a printer, perhaps dual-screen monitors, and maybe even a landline phone.

Now imagine doing that from thousands of miles away.

Don’t let that dissuade you. With a bit of creativity and planning, almost anyone can work remotely. Here are a few ways to set yourself up for success:

—Stay focused and disciplined. This can be the greatest challenge since you will be tempted to explore your new surroundings and may struggle to adapt to a productive routine. Create a schedule that works for you and then stick to it.

—Pick a digital nomad hub. Some cities caught on early to the remote work trend and have earned a reputation for their well-developed infrastructure, low-cost of living and high-quality of life. Consider Medellín, Colombia; Bali, Indonesia; and Chiang Mai, Thailand.

—Start small. Don’t jump in the deep end right away by doing a 6- or 12-month stint abroad. When starting out, get your feet wet with a month or two in a destination that is relatively close, such as San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

—Find a coworking space. Coworking spaces are popping up in cities across the world, and there are some fabulous choices. You’ll have access to fully-functional space that is optimized for productivity, educational opportunities and the ability to meet and connect with a tribe of like-minded entrepreneurs.

—Use technology to your advantage. I rely on several apps from my smartphone to make traveling easier and more comfortable, which I detailed in a recent article.

Who says travel should always be as basic as a river cruise or an all-inclusive resort? The laptop lifestyle is an exciting and challenging option for travel advisors with a healthy sense of adventure and curiosity.

It is truly exhilarating!

If you’ve ever considered working remotely, even for a month or two at a time, I encourage you to go for it! I can personally attest to the enrichment this experience has brought to my own life and the credibility that living abroad adds to your business. If you have questions about how to make the laptop lifestyle work for you, leave a comment below!

Until next time, stay inspired.