Florida's army of snowbirds are planning on swarming back for this year's winter season

by Eytan Benzeno

Having mostly sat out last year due to travel restrictions and other coronavirus-related concerns, Florida's army of snowbirds are planning on swarming back for this year's winter season, The Wall Street Journal reports. Roughly 90% of Canada's estimated one million snowbirds will flock back south this season. A staple for many decades, the state's part-time residents have gone from being deemed a sitcom punchline to being recognized as a valuable economic engine, particularly for restaurants and grocery stores.

Canadian tourists — many of whom are snowbirds — spend an estimated $6.5 billion in Florida annually. Last year, Canadian tourist numbers were down by 99% in the first four months of the pandemic.