Canadian snowbirds concerned as U.S. land border closure drags on
Global News
There is an increased demand to travel despite COVID, experts say, but those hoping to drive down to sunny U.S. destinations will have to wait at least a little while longer.
As fall kicks off and winter approaches, Canadian snowbirds are busy planning their trips down south with greater interest this year.
While the threat of COVID-19 in Canada and the U.S. is far from over amid the spread of the Delta variant, there is an increased demand to travel compared to last year, travel insurance experts say.
“There’s a pent-up demand for Canadians to travel outside of Canada, particularly to the U.S.,” said Pamela Kwiatkowski, co-founder and vice president of Goose Insurance.
Since August, she said, they have seen increased activity with sales continuing to grow every day as Canadians plan and book their travel.
For now, Canadians can get to the U.S. by air, as the land border closure – imposed since March 2020 – will remain in effect until at least Oct. 21.
That creates a few problems for those who were hoping to drive down to sunny U.S. destinations and escape Canada’s harsh winter cold.
Martin Firestone, a Toronto-based travel insurance broker, said his snowbird clients typically start making their way to Florida, Arizona, California and Texas in October and stay until April.
Their biggest concern, he said, is why they are unable to drive in their own cars but are allowed to fly with 300 other people in an airplane.