Usually, it’s older travelers who go south for the winter months. But in the age of the pandemic, younger travelers are riding out the cold weather in locations that are warmer and trendier than home.
A new type of ‘snowbird’
“Snowbirds” is the term used to describe seasonal travelers who migrate to warmer climates for the winter. They are typically older and retired, as well as more health-conscious and educated than their peers.
These same attributes, however, are keeping them at home in recent months. In their place, a new flock of travelers — unencumbered by office hours and Covid-aggravating medical conditions — are venturing out.
Florida’s Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa debuted a “One Month Life Swap” program in November aimed at those working or studying from home.
Every year, we typically offer a ‘snowbird’ program to retirees,” said the resort’s General Manager Gary Brielmayer. “This year we saw an opportunity to expand that program.”
Brielmayer said interest in the program has come from residents of Chicago, New York City and Indianapolis but also from Atlanta and Dallas, which “proves to us that weather is only part of the equation.”
“The idea of living at a resort used to be just a dream,” he told CNBC’s Global Traveler. “But now with so much of work and schooling happening online, it’s a realistic lifestyle for many.”
The Atlantic Hotel & Spa in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, also has an influx of guests staying for over a month this winter.
“I foresee this trend extending into the summer months and well past the pandemic,” said Samuel Atwood, the hotel’s general manager.
One-way flights, longer stays
Andrew Collins, the president and CEO of private jet company Sentient Jet, said the duration of customers’ trips has increased by 50% since the pandemic began. One-way flights are on the rise.
“We are flying the same number of legs as 2019, but less of that mix is round-trip travel and more is one-way travel,” he said.
Top destinations for Sentient Jet flyers include West Palm Beach and Key Largo, Florida, as well as Teterboro, New Jersey; White Plains, New York, and Aspen, Colorado.
