How Digital Nomadism Can Revitalize Villages: The Experience of Tursi Digital Nomads
From Basilicata to Greece: interview with Salvatore Gulfo, founder of Tursi Digital Nomads, a project that tackles depopulation through remote work and vibrant international communities.
Tursi Digital Nomads is one of Italy's pioneering initiatives focused on remote working. Launched in 2021 in Tursi (Basilicata), the project aims to regenerate internal rural areas by creating digital nomad communities. In a few years, the initiative has expanded to multiple locations in Italy and Greece, becoming a benchmark for workation experiences combining professional activities, cultural immersion, and social impact.
I had the chance to interview Salvatore Gulfo, founder of Tursi Digital Nomads, and he shared with us some news about their format.
Salvatore, how did the idea of Tursi Digital Nomads come about, and what are its main activities?
Tursi Digital Nomads was born to counteract rooted phenomena in internal areas such as depopulation, undervaluation of artistic heritage, and socio-cultural stagnation. Our initiative aims to mitigate these issues by establishing digital nomad communities who become temporary residents, enjoying a slow, healthy lifestyle in contact with nature and ancient traditions, while contributing both socially and economically to the local community. Nomads stay for at least one month, living in historic center accommodations, using coworking spaces created in unique locations (like the 1600s former monastery in Tursi), and participating in various local activities and excursions.
What kind of profiles and stories have you encountered among the digital nomads who choose Tursi?
Over four years, we have hosted more than 200 digital nomads from 35 countries. They are professionals aged between 25 and 45, including IT developers, marketing specialists, project managers, freelance consultants, traders, coaches, digital and social entrepreneurs, and startup founders. Some are full-time travelers for over four years, others travel part-time or whenever possible. Many are solo travelers, seeking to meet new people and build strong professional and personal networks within our communities.
How is the project contributing to the revitalization and reinhabitation of the territory?
Tursi Digital Nomads represents a concrete example of how smart working can drive territorial regeneration. We strive to bring life back to historic centers daily, not just for events. Our accommodations and coworking spaces are located in historic areas, and activities are organized together with the local community. Beyond economic impact, we aim to attract local youth by creating an international and innovative environment that may encourage them to return to their hometowns.
In your opinion, what factors make Tursi attractive for digital nomads and new residents?
The community itself is the primary attraction. Digital nomads travel where they can find vibrant, creative, multicultural groups. Tursi and other villages (like Rotondella in Basilicata or Parga in Greece) offer authenticity, close contact with nature, a favorable climate, proximity to the sea, friendly locals, essential services, and community managers like us, ensuring seamless logistics and activities.
Do you have any significant stories or anecdotes you'd like to share?
Many digital nomads have described their experience with us as "the most important of their lives." Our community creates strong personal and professional bonds. About 30% of participants have joined more than one project. Moreover, three couples were born within our community—including myself and Maria. We met in Tursi during the first edition in 2022 and have since built both a personal and professional partnership.
What are your next steps and growth objectives?
We are working full-time on this project with the goal of converting it into an innovative startup and scaling it to new villages in Italy and Greece. Our growth strategy includes evolving from a B2C model to a hybrid B2B/B2C model, introducing:
Corporate retreats
Wellbeing and team building packages
Purchase of a historical building in Tursi for a dedicated coliving space
A franchise model for hospitality structures
New digital services and mentorship programs for startups born in internal areas.
We are actively seeking investors, business accelerators, grants, and public funding to achieve these goals.
More about Tursi Digital Nomads
Tursi Digital Nomads is an innovative project launched in 2021 in Tursi (Basilicata) aiming to regenerate Italy's internal rural areas through the power of remote work. By creating vibrant communities of international digital nomads, the initiative successfully combines professional activities, authentic cultural experiences, and impactful social engagement. The project has now expanded to several locations in Italy and Greece, hosting over 200 nomads from more than 40 countries. Partnerships with local administrations, homeowners, and cultural organizations are at the core of Tursi Digital Nomads’ scalable and sustainable model.
For more information, visit:
Website: www.tursidigitalnomads.pro
Instagram: @tursidigitalnomads
LinkedIn: Tursi Digital Nomads