rather point to

[Maybo]

Does "rather" in the following paragraph mean more accurately/ more exactly?

Typically when high-earning remote workers move to less developed areas, it has a significant economic and cultural effect – something that’s especially true in developing countries. “Earlier experiences with digital nomads in some places in Southeast Asia and expats in general, worldwide, rather point to the expat bubble experience with a more self-contained, high-expenditure lifestyle that generates income for local economies, but also to price increases – in particular, regarding housing,” says Eichhorst at the Institute of Labor Economics.

(Can Brazil’s remote workers thrive outside big cities? by Raphael Tsavkko Garcia)

[teechar]

No. It means "instead". It is presenting a contrasting idea.

[Maybo]

No. It means "instead". It is presenting a contrasting idea.

Does the sentence mean that earlier experiences with digital nomads and expats point to price increases instead of pointing to the expat bubble experience with a more self-contained, high-expenditure lifestyle that generates income for local economies?

[teechar]

No. It means they point to:
1- the expat bubble experience with a more self-contained, high-expenditure lifestyle
2- but also to price increases – in particular, regarding housing
Here, "but" is used to indicate a change; "price increases" are a negative thing.

[Maybo]

No. It means they point to:
1- the expat bubble experience with a more self-contained, high-expenditure lifestyle
2- but also to price increases – in particular, regarding housing
Here, "but" is used to indicate a change; "price increases" are a negative thing.

So is the contrasting idea price increases? People think that remote workers moving to less developed areas can boost economics while increases price.

[teechar]

So is the contrasting idea the price increases? People think that remote workers moving to less-developed areas can boost the local economy, economics while in reality, they just cause increases in prices?

Right. Note that "economics" refers to the field of study (subject).