They address the problem of poor local economic development and weak local tax base. There is a reason countries are so eager to attract digital nomads and ready to give waivers on taxation. They consume little in terms of social services and they flood the local economy with money. They let a country import a money pipeline from some of the richest parts of the world and have it end in their city/country. You can grab a share of New York or Silicon Valley prosperity and have it locally.

You can have the worker without needing to figure out how to set up industry that supports highly paid workers (which is practically not possible in many smaller centres).

> Hospitality prices inevitably follow as restaurant owners test how high their prices can go.

That is something many would consider highly desirable. What local businesses have to offer can be sold for a much higher profit margin.

> Still, try selling the benefits to the average resident

Everything from higher tax revenue for services to higher margin local businesses to greater demand for new businesses to soaring equity for homeowners (the vast majority of people in Mexico own their home for example) to higher availability of skilled workers. People who put up posters and spray graffiti in North America are hardly representative of public opinion. Is there reason to think it is more true overseas?