Why workcations are becoming the new normal for young professionals

Today's fast-changing workplace means workers no longer have to stay at the office or travel long distances to another city to do their jobs. Remote & hybrid work options have changed the expectations of traditional working people with respect to the comfort of their space, as well as how flexibly they can create their own personal work/life balance. One of the new trends that has emerged from this change is the workcation, which allows employees to combine travel with their business/career.Workcations allow workers to travel while continuing to complete their daily tasks from beautiful locations. Workcations allow younger professionals to forgo a real break from work and instead spend time in beautiful, quiet locations that they can call home while still working.Workcations have also grown in popularity due to a greater awareness of the importance of mental well-being. The stress and burnout associated with long hours, commuting, or just living in a fast-paced city environment have caused younger workers to put equal importance on their career/employment and their mental health. The more peaceful & calming places can offer much-needed rest and focus for employees who find themselves travelling in the hills of Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Nainital, or Lansdowne.Creativity & productivity are generally increased the more time one spends in a peaceful environment. Oftentimes, when employees make changes to their work environment, their ability to think & produce energy can change dramatically. An environment that is less stressful to work in, such as Mussoorie, where it is quieter and calmer than most urban areas, is different and will provide a basis for creating a healthy lifestyle.Living this type of lifestyle is now easier due to advances in technology. Teleworking has allowed employees to stay in touch with each other through the internet and digital workplace systems, no matter where they work around the globe. It is expected that as companies continue to have more flexible working arrangements for their employees, employees will have more choice in where they want to do their job.The hospitality industry has reacted to this trend by providing the same services to the growing number of remote/virtual workers among its consumer base. For example, many resort or hotel operators now provide business guests with some of the same services offered to leisure guests (e.g., WiFi access, a workspace, and a long-term and quiet workspace for remote workers).The modern-day traveller wants their accommodation to be a comfortable, relaxing, and productive place to stay.Travelling and working at the same time has become very popular in recent years as more people take advantage of their flexibility in terms of where they work from, as many work from home and can therefore book a trip whenever it suits them! Younger generations are leading this trend; they would prefer an experience as opposed to the normal structured routine.Going forward, workcations will be a major contributor to the future of the professional way of being. Office-based work only generates productivity, which is changing; younger professionals are now viewing work from a perspective that supports personal comfort and emotions as critical aspects of the workplace environment.From now on, we’re going to see more of this type of job, which we call a "workcation". Young people are slowly starting to realise that work doesn't happen only in an office but is also about finding a place where they can work comfortably and enjoy good mental health. Today's young adults feel like success isn't just about working lots of hours but also about having a relaxed and healthy lifestyle. They want to work for a company where they can grow as a professional and, at the same time, have some peace of mind, the ability to work flexibly, and an experience of life that's meaningful.Mr Mehardeep Singh, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Rubystone Hospitality