TORONTO — Canadian snowbirds continue to soak up the sun in the United States but interest is growing in international destinations, says Snowbird Advisor.

According to the company’s recent survey of its members in November 2023,  86% of respondents currently spend their winters in the U.S., with 14% spending the season in a variety of international destinations. 

Among newer snowbirds, interest in international locales is even higher, with 25% saying they would explore abroad.

“The U.S. has always been and continues to be the most popular destination for Canadian snowbirds, but we are seeing a growing trend among snowbirds who choose to spend their winters in other destinations,” said Stephen Fine, president and founder of Snowbird Advisor. “This is particularly true among newer snowbirds, who are more likely to consider international destinations and less likely to go to the same destination year after year – at least for the first few years after becoming snowbirds.”

In terms of where snowbirds are going, the survey revealed that the top five current destinations are Florida, Arizona, California, Mexico and Texas. Other popular destinations include South Carolina, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Portugal, Spain, Costa Rica and Panama.

Other notable survey results include the following:

• Over 70% of respondents spend 3 months or more away each winter.
• 78% go to the same destination every year, while 22% move around to different destinations each year. However, among newer snowbirds the percentage who plan on moving around to different destinations each year jumped to over 37%.
  
• 68% of snowbirds who go to the U.S. drive to their destination, while 32% fly.
  
• For accommodations, 50% own either a house, condo or manufactured home in their winter destination, 40% either rent or stay in a hotel or resort and 10% own an RV.
  
• 77% have family and friends come to visit them while they are away during the winter.
  
• Almost 38% come back to Canada one time during the winter and 12% come home two to three times over the winter.

For more information go to https://www.snowbirdadvisor.ca/.