PHOENIX , Canadians Ian Stewart and Heather Stewart are relishing the prospect of leaving behind the subzero winter temperatures. Next week, the U.S. will reopen its borders to all non-essential land travel. They then embark on a long-delayed trip to Fort Myers, Florida.
The coronavirus pandemic was resisted by both Canada and Mexico, and the couple and millions of others in Canada were prevented from traveling south to warmer climates like Arizona, Florida, and Mexico last winter.
Many Canadians are now packing up their campers to make reservations at their favourite vacation condos or mobile home parks, following the Biden administration’s decision allowing vaccinated persons to enter the U.S. on land starting Nov. 8. Some are already in America, arriving on flights that have never stopped and require only a negative COVID-19 testing.
Many people have waited to learn to drive and prefer the convenience of owning a vehicle, as rentals are expensive and scarce.
Vacasa, which manages over 30,000 vacation properties in North America, Belize, and Costa Rica, reported that it experienced a significant increase in its online traffic after the new rules were published. Canadians’ views on snowbird-popular locations jumped 120%
On Oct. 4, traffic moves towards a police vehicle at the Ambassador Bridge border crossing in Windsor (Ontario). (Rob Gurdebeke/The Canadian Press via AP. File)
The Stewarts will travel from Ottawa, Ontario with their two dogs and one cat, Nov. 10, to make the four-day trip to Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Ian Stewart (81), a former air traffic controller for the Royal Canadian Air Force, said, “We love it there.” It’s a great place to walk, talk and enjoy the good weather. You don’t need to worry about getting slammed on the ice or breaking your bones!
Many Canadian snowbirds live in luxury RV resorts and mobile home parks, just like the Stewarts. These are for those 55+. Since 2007, the Stewarts own a manufactured home in their Florida park.
Arizona is known for its mild winters.
According to Becky Blaine (deputy director), the Arizona Office of Tourism anticipates an immediate economic impact in a region where Mexicans and Canadians have traditionally made up the highest number of overnight visitors.
“The phones have been ringing off-the-hook since they announced that the border would be reopened,” stated Kate Ebert, manager at Sundance 1 RV Resort in Casa Grande. This resort is halfway between Phoenix, Tucson, and Las Vegas.
Renee Louzon Benn, the Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce’s executive director, stated that the desert community felt the absence of visitors from the U.S. and Canada last year. Midwestern states such as Wisconsin and Michigan have far fewer local residents. Craig McFarland, Casa Grande Mayor, said that the city of 62,000 people typically grows by an average of 25,000 each winter.
Wendy Caban, from Lake Country, British Columbia is delighted to be able to drive her husband Geoffrey to their home in Phoenix, Mesa.
Wendy Caban stated, “I look forward to seeing many of our friends that we have made over the past dozen years,” “I look forward to the warmth.”
The couple, who are both 73 years old, are still considering when they will leave.
Caban stated, “I think it will be insane on November 8.” “So, we’ll wait for a few days to monitor the lineups.
Arizona’s Office of Tourism claims that $1 billion was spent by Canadian tourists in 2019. This dropped to $225 million for 257,000 Canadians last year.
R. Glenn Williamson is Canada’s honorary consul in Arizona and the founder and CEO Canada Arizona Business Council. He said that the figures for tourists don’t include long-term stays by part time resident Canadians who spend months in Arizona homes. This could lead to as many as 200,000 people spending an additional $1.5 billion each year.
Williamson stated that Arizona has 500 Canadian-owned businesses. This is a new generation of Canadian snowbirds, who are younger and more wealthy than the rest. They live in Arizona part-time, buy luxury homes, and enjoy golf, which Williamson says is one of Canada’s most beloved sports.
The Arizona Biltmore resort golfers walk off the green on Oct. 27, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin).
Barbara and Brian Fox, both 60-year-olds from Toronto, will continue to work for their strategic communications company when they return to Naples, Florida, in March and April.
The couple will spend the longest time in Florida, as they have cancelled at least five trips south during the pandemic because of restrictions and concerns about infection.
Many retirees plan to move south again.
Wilf Burnett and Lynne Burnett are among them. They haven’t traveled south from Vancouver, British Columbia to Puerto Vallarta since the outbreak of coronavirus. They usually tow a boat of 15 feet (4.5 meters) so that they can fish and visit bay-side restaurants.
The Burnetts can now make a three-month reservation for a Puerto Vallarta condo beginning Jan. 6, as land border restrictions have been lifted.
Wilf Burnett stated, “We’ll keep an ear on the virus and if they continue to improve we’ll go.”
It is likely that those who travel last-minute will have difficulty booking a condo, RV park, or campground.
Some snowbirds are booking earlier than usual due to concerns about restrictions changing. Bruce Hoban, cofounder of the 2,000 member Vacation Rental Owners and Neighbors in Palm Springs, stated that this is despite the fact that there might be changes to the rules. Hoban stated that snowbirds are 15% of vacation rental guests and peak times for them are usually between February-April.
He said that those who travel can expect to pay prices up to 20%-30% higher due to increased demand.
Bobby Cornwell, the executive director of the Florida & Alabama RV Parks & Campground Association said that many sites were fully booked from January to March, even before the new rules were published. This is because Americans have taken up RV travel during the pandemic and filled in for Canadian campers.
Cornwell stated that it was still “wonderful news” that Canadians could return.
He said, “We encourage all snowbirds and to make reservations as soon as you can.”
