Snowbirds flock to Osoyoos

OSOYOOS — If you were planning on booking a long-term stay in Osoyoos this winter, you may be out of luck. The south Okanagan town is proving to be a hot spot as many hotels and motels are getting filled up by snowbirds.

Vida Myles is from St. Albert, Alberta and usually travels to Texas or Florida during the winter time, but says the sinking loonie has thwarted those travel plans.

“It’s kind of pricey to go down to the States,” she says.

Now it seems the snowbirds birds are migrating to Canada’s only desert.

Dan Brogan manages Walnut Beach Resort and is the Destination Osoyoos chair. He says many of the tourists are from the prairie provinces. He believes the combination of the sinking loonie and costly American medical coverage makes “staycations” a popular choice.

“I don’t even get this demand in July and August,” he says. “I’m employing people at this time of the year, when I’ve never had the opportunity before.”

Smitty’s restaurant usually has to lay people off after the summer tourism season is over, but this year, has been able to keep its staff.

“I’ve noticed it’s really busy; lots of snowbirds this year,” says Chris Fraser, the restaurant’s manager.

It appears businesses will continue to boom next winter.

Brogan says many suites are already booked up for the same time next year.