Outsite Expands into Africa and Asia with new Membership Model for Digital Nomads, Amid Shifting Remote Work Trends and the Decline of Hybrid Work Policies

Published on March 28, 2025

Outsite is expanding its footprint into Africa and Asia with a new membership model tailored to digital nomads, even as remote work policies continue to shift and hybrid work arrangements decline. As many companies return to in-office work full-time, Outsite is capitalizing on the growing demand for flexible, work-friendly accommodations by partnering with pre-existing hotels that cater to the unique needs of remote workers. This innovative model allows Outsite to scale rapidly while offering digital nomads the ideal balance of work and leisure in key global destinations, ensuring they can maintain their lifestyle amidst changing work environments.

As the hospitality landscape shifts in response to evolving work trends, the recent rebranding of Selina to Socialtel prompts a significant question for the industry: what’s next for hospitality brands catering to the digital nomad and remote worker communities? While the remote work model faced some setbacks in 2024, brands like Outsite are doubling down on their commitment to serving this niche, expanding their presence globally despite the pushback against hybrid work arrangements.

Outsite, a membership-based hospitality company designed with digital nomads in mind, is in the midst of a strategic expansion that includes destinations in Africa and Asia. The company is not only investing in physical spaces but also developing a new membership model to meet the evolving needs of its growing base of remote workers. This model involves selecting third-party hotels that align with the brand’s ethos, ensuring that they provide an ideal balance of work and leisure amenities. The key focus is on reducing overhead costs by avoiding the operation of standalone properties and, instead, leveraging pre-existing accommodations. This innovative approach is designed to ensure that digital nomads can find spaces that cater to both their work needs and desire for adventure.

The Changing Landscape of Remote Work

The shift in remote work policies has been a significant factor influencing the direction of digital nomad-focused hospitality. According to a recent survey by FM:Systems, the number of companies offering hybrid work arrangements has dramatically decreased. Just one year ago, 17% of companies allowed employees to work fewer than three days in the office, but now only 8% maintain such flexibility. More tellingly, 57% of employers are now requiring their staff to return to the office full-time, marking a sharp rise from just 48% in the previous year.

This change in corporate work policies highlights a growing trend of office attendance stabilizing, and signals potential challenges for hospitality brands designed with the digital nomad in mind. However, Outsite’s strategy of partnering with established hotels rather than building from the ground up could offer a solution to the shifting landscape. This approach not only enables the company to scale its footprint but also ensures that it can meet the needs of remote workers, even in markets where the demand for hybrid workspaces may be more muted.

The model echoes the success of companies like Blueground, a furnished apartment operator that introduced a partner network of third-party, vetted properties to meet the growing demand for flexible living spaces outside its core markets. By working with trusted hotel and accommodation partners, Outsite is positioning itself as a flexible and adaptable option for digital nomads in the face of changing global work dynamics.

The New Normal of Corporate Retreats

Despite the tightening of hybrid work policies by some companies, others are finding new ways to embrace the remote work movement. One such company, Naboo, specializes in corporate retreats and recently raised €20 million in Series A funding to further expand its services across Europe. Based in France, Naboo operates in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and has expanded into Spain, Italy, and Germany this year alone.

Maxime Eduardo, co-founder of Naboo, believes that the future of remote work will not involve returning to a fully in-office model but rather a hybrid system that includes more opportunities for corporate retreats and flexible work arrangements. These retreats offer companies the chance to foster team-building, collaboration, and networking in unique, off-site locations that promote creativity and a sense of community.

However, the issue of social isolation remains a challenge in the world of remote work. J.P. Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon raised concerns earlier this year that younger employees are being left behind socially due to the increased prevalence of hybrid and remote work arrangements. For many digital nomads, this can translate to a lack of personal connection with colleagues and a feeling of professional detachment. As such, hospitality brands focused on digital nomads and remote workers will need to address these concerns by offering spaces that promote collaboration, networking, and community engagement.

The Future of Digital Nomad Accommodation

While larger corporations are scaling back their remote work policies, smaller organizations are expected to remain more flexible in their work arrangements, making them a crucial demographic for remote worker-focused hospitality brands. Claudia Gualdi, travel intelligence data team lead at Riskline, has highlighted that startups and smaller companies are more inclined to adopt flexible work arrangements compared to their larger counterparts. This suggests that the demand for digital nomad-friendly accommodations will continue to grow, particularly in regions where the startup ecosystem is strong.

According to one talent mobility expert, this shift towards more flexible work arrangements is expected to result in an increase in short-term business travel, with smaller companies likely to organize more trips requiring visas. This will further fuel the need for flexible accommodation solutions that cater to the unique needs of remote workers. Outsite’s membership model, which allows digital nomads to access a network of vetted, flexible properties, is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend and offer a solution for businesses seeking adaptable accommodation options for their teams.

Outsite’s Expansion Plans: Bridging the Gap Between Work and Play

Outsite’s expansion plans are geared toward catering to the growing demand for digital nomad-friendly accommodations in Africa and Asia. These regions, which have seen a surge in the number of remote workers, offer immense growth potential for Outsite’s brand. By expanding into these regions, Outsite aims to establish itself as a leading provider of flexible, work-friendly accommodations for digital nomads across the globe.

In addition to its planned expansion into new markets, Outsite is exploring new ways to enhance the digital nomad experience by offering amenities that allow guests to seamlessly balance work and leisure. The company plans to partner with hotels that already provide features conducive to remote work, such as high-speed internet, dedicated workspaces, and communal areas designed for networking and collaboration. This partnership model allows Outsite to scale quickly without the overhead costs of operating its own properties, making it an attractive option for both travelers and investors.

The rise of the digital nomad lifestyle has created a unique opportunity for hospitality brands to cater to a growing market of remote workers who prioritize flexibility, connectivity, and community. By offering spaces that allow remote workers to thrive both professionally and personally, Outsite is positioning itself as a leader in this niche segment of the hospitality industry. As more companies embrace remote work policies, Outsite’s model is set to become a key player in the future of work-friendly accommodations.

Outsite is expanding into Africa and Asia with a new membership model, offering flexible, work-friendly accommodations for digital nomads as remote work policies evolve and hybrid arrangements decline. This approach allows the brand to scale rapidly while meeting the growing demand for work and leisure spaces in key global markets.

The Impact of Selina’s Rebranding

Selina’s rebrand to Socialtel signals the end of its original vision for serving digital nomads, and it raises important questions about the future of this niche market. While Selina’s Remote Year division shut down in December 2024 following its acquisition by Collective Hospitality, it does not necessarily signal a lack of demand for work-from-anywhere programs. Instead, it may reflect a need for brands to evolve and adapt to the shifting dynamics of the global workforce.

Although Selina’s rebrand could be seen as a retreat from the digital nomad movement, other companies, like Outsite, continue to thrive and innovate in this space. Outsite’s commitment to expanding into new regions and providing flexible, member-driven accommodations shows that the digital nomad lifestyle is far from over.

As more brands follow in the footsteps of Outsite and adopt flexible membership models, the hospitality industry is poised for a new era of innovation that blends work, play, and community. The future of remote work and digital nomad-friendly accommodations is bright, with plenty of room for growth and adaptation as the world of work continues to evolve.