PHOENIX (AP) — Canadians Ian and Heather Stewart enjoy the concept of leaving this winter’s sub-zero temperatures behind when the U. S. reopens its borders to non-essential land travel next week and launch a long-delayed trip to their seasonal home in Fort Myers, Florida.
Restrictions imposed across either country by the coronavirus pandemic and their own considerations have prevented the retired couple and millions of other Canadians from driving south into warmer climates like Florida, Arizona and Mexico during last year’s frigid winter months.
Now, the Biden administration’s resolution to allow other vaccinated people to enter the U. S. USA Through land for any explanation of why starting November 8 it’s driving many Canadians to prepare campers and make reservations at their favorite vacation condos and mobile home parks. The United States, arriving on flights that have never stopped and only required a negative COVID-19 test.
But many waited to drive, who prefer the convenience of having a vehicle to get around with expensive and infrequent rental cars.
Vacasa, a control company with more than 30,000 vacation homes in North America, Belize and Costa Rica, said it saw a significant increase in traffic on its online platform after the new regulations were announced. jumped 120%.
The Stewarts will board their SUV with two and a cat on Nov. 10 for a four-day hike from Ottawa, Ontario, to spend six months on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
“We love being there,” said Ian Stewart, 81, a retired Royal Canadian Air Force air traffic controller. “There’s such a wonderful feeling with the smart weather that allows you to faint, walk and communicate with your neighbors. You don’t have to worry about slipping on the ice and breaking your bones!
Like the Stewarts, many Canadian snowbirds stay in cell home parks and luxury resorts, with pools, golf courses and pickleball, for others 55 and older. The Stewarts have had a prefabricated house in their Florida park since 2007.
Arizona is also for its mild winters.
The Arizona Tourism Board expects a quick economic effect in a state where Canadians and Mexicans historically make up the largest number of overnight visitors, said Becky Blaine, deputy director of the office.
“The phones have been ringing since they announced the reopening of the border,” said Kate Ebert, director of Sundance 1 RV Resort in Casa Grande, halfway between Phoenix and Tucson.
Renée Louzon-Benn, executive director of the Grand Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce, said last year the desert network felt the absence of visitors from Canada and the U. S. Midwestern states. Like Wisconsin and Michigan, with far fewer people spending cash locally. Craig McFarland said the city of about 62,000 people swells through another 25,000 each winter.
Wendy Caban, of Lake Country, B. C. , is thrilled that she and her husband, Geoffrey, will soon drive to their hotel in the Phoenix suburb of Mesa.
“I can’t wait to see a lot of the friends made over the twelve years or so,” Wendy Caban said. “I can’t wait to be warm. “
But the couple, 73, are still thinking about when to leave.
“I think it’s going to be crazy on November 8,” Caban said, “so we’re going to wait a few days and watch the queues and the weather. “
The Arizona Tourism Board says nearly one million Canadian tourists spent $1 billion in 2019, which dropped to 257,000 Canadians who spent $325 million last year.
R. Glenn Williamson, Canada’s honorary consul in Arizona and founder and executive director of the Canada Arizona Business Council, said the tourist numbers don’t take into account the long-term remains of part-time Canadian citizens who spend months in a row at home. Up to 200,000 more people spend $1. 5 billion more each year.
With some 500 Canadian corporations operating in Arizona, a new wave of younger, wealthier Canadian snowbirds is running part-time in the state, where they buy luxury homes and play golf, one of Canada’s most popular sports, Williamson said.
Barbara and Brian Fox of Toronto, already in their sixties, plan to continue applying for their strategic communications firm when they return to the Naples domain on Florida’s Gulf Coast in March and April.
It will be the longest stay in Florida to date for the couple, who have canceled at least five planned trips south during the pandemic due to restrictions and infection considerations imaginable.
Many retirees are also making plans to move south.
They come with Wilf and Lynne Burnett, who haven’t walked south annually from their hometown of Vancouver, BC, to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, since the coronavirus emerged, and tow a 4. 5-meter (15-foot) boat so they can fish and fish. stopover at restaurants with docks in the bay.
Now that land border restrictions have been removed, the Burnetts have a three-month reservation at a condo in Puerto Vallarta on Jan. 6.
“We will be watching for the virus and if things continue to improve, we will go,” Wilf Burnett said.
Those traveling at the last minute will likely find it difficult to book a condo, RV park, or campground.
Amid considerations that restrictions may continue to change, some snowbirds are making reservations earlier than usual in the season, from November to early next year, said Bruce Hoban, co-founder of Palm Springs’ 2,000 vacation rental owners and neighbors. times for snowbirds, which account for about 15% of vacation rentals, are between February and April.
Those who come may also be expecting costs of between 20% and 30% higher due to increased demand, he said.
Bobby Cornwell, CEO of Florida and Alabama RV Parks
Still, it’s “wonderful news” that Canadians can return, Cornwell said.
“We inspire all snowbirds to plan to come to Florida and make their reservations as soon as possible,” he said.