Snowbird Rentals Still Strong Despite Economic Woes

As a rental company, there are some days marked in the calendar year-round; days in which the company must anticipate and prepare for. These days are every Saturday during the summer season, whereas in the dead of winter, they become fewer and farer between. One major day that requires much preparation is January 1st, the day the majority of Destin’s “Snowbirds” migrate to their designated condos.
Over the past six months, I’ve been hesitant to say whether or not our snowbird season would be as strong as in previous years. With the news today shifting from our nation’s historic presidential election to the economic turmoil currently churning on Wall Street, it becomes hard for one to predict numbers in the same ballpark as last year. Now that we are nearing the arrival date, it is becoming more and more apparent that we will, in fact, meet our quota. When asked about the numbers this winter compared to last year’s figures, Scott Phillips replied, “As the Reservation Manager for Holiday Isle Properties in Destin, Florida, I can tell you that our snowbird numbers for winter ’08 are up 15% from what they were in 07.” How could the current economic distress boost snowbird bookings? As a writer, I’d like for the answer to be the romantic notion that maybe, during economic woes and greater uncertainty, the turnout would be stronger because there would be more people in bigger, colder cities wanting to escape, to dodge the bad news being shoveled at them when they’re already knee-deep in snow. News seems to come easier when its 65 degrees in the middle of January. Perhaps the answer is far simpler than that. “Most of our snowbirds are older citizens who are retired and already have the financial aspect of their lives where they want it to be. They already have their house paid for, so the housing market isn’t going to deter their winter getaway, their car is already paid for, so the credit industry isn’t going to stop them, and the gas prices are inexpensive again. Why wouldn’t they trade in their snow for Destin’s crystal-white sand?” remarks Blake Strickland, a Reservation Agent at Holiday Isle Properties. The winter forecast for Destin is a lot more bearable than in most parts of the country. It’s easy to get used to the 65 degree days. It’s just hard to keep reminding yourself that this is December.