Five years ago, Jim Harrisons campground 30 miles northeast of New Orleans was completely destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
Undeterred, Harrison spent his life savings rebuilding the park, only to have the economy pull the rug out from under him with the worst recession in decades. But despite these calamities, snowbirds have filled up Harrisons 120-site New Orleans East Kampground in Slidell, La. this winter, and he expects to have his best winter season yet.
Were doing much better than last winter, he said during an early February interview. In fact, were running plumb full. I dont think well have any spaces left. The uptick in snowbird business isnt unique to the New Orleans area. Its happening in Sunbelt destinations across the country.
Most RV parks and resorts that cater to snowbirds are reporting higher occupancies this winter than they did last winter, said Linda Profaizer, president and CEO of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds in Larkspur, Colo.
Profaizer attributes the surge in snowbird business to a variety of factors, including a stronger economy, moderate fuel prices, an improving stock market, and a strong Canadian dollar. Another factor in our favor, she said, is the fact that campgrounds, RV parks and resorts continue to offer the most affordable way for retirees to spend extended periods of time in the Sunbelt.
And as snowbirds search for affordable places to winter, she said, growing numbers of them are landing at private parks across the Sunbelt, from independently owned and operated parks to parks that are operated by major RV resort chains.
Rincon Country RV Resort in Tucson, Ariz., for example, has seen a 30 percent increase in winter visitors since November, said park owner George OLeary, adding that his current winter business even exceeds his 2006 figures by 4 percent. From November on, he said, occupancies have been running steadily higher.
Shadow Hills RV Park in Indio, Calif. has experienced a similar surge in business, said park owner Paula Turner, who noted that her winter business is at its highest level since she purchased the park six years ago. Our occupancy last January was only 75 to 80 percent, she said. This year, we have been running 97 to 99 percent since January 15th. We are completely booked in February and have been turning people away since the first of January.
Chicago-based Equity LifeStyle Properties, the nations largest Sunbelt RV resort operator, has seen flat revenues for seasonal visitors at its Florida properties during the fourth quarter of 2009 and first quarter of 2010. However, the company is experiencing seasonal revenue increases of 16.5 percent and 23 percent, respectively, at its Arizona and Texas parks, compared to the same period a year earlier, according to company spokeswoman Pat Zamora.
Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Carefree RV Resorts, for its part, is seeing monthly revenue gains exceeding 11 percent at its 27 Florida RV parks during the first quarter of this year, compared to the same period a year ago, said company President Colleen Edwards. The company has not yet compiled estimates for its Texas parks. However, Carefrees Texas parks have seen an increase in short-term visitors, Edwards said.
Meanwhile, La Jolla, Calif.-based SunLand RV Resorts, which owns and operates seven RV resorts in Southern California, is reporting a steady increase in business this winter. We have seen a strong surge in new guests and many returns of people that skipped the 2009 season based on economic scares, said SunLand Operations Manager Greg Sidoroff, adding, Canadian traffic is extremely strong with a strong Canadian dollar and overall great weather in Southern California. Deposits for future (winter) seasons are (also) going very well.
Of course, not every park is experiencing an upturn in snowbird business this winter. Central Park of Haines City, Fla., is full right at the moment, said park manager Chris Long, but the parks overall business for the winter season has been down compared to last winter.
Chris Freed, owner of Zachary Taylor RV Resort in Okeechobee, Fla., said his business is consistent with last winters figures, too, but those figures were down about 25 percent from normal.
Most Sunbelt parks, however, are seeing some improvement in their business levels this winter. Consider these examples:
Alabama
