Second wave of winter visitors come into town

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - According to Visit Yuma, around 60,000 to 70,000 snowbirds come to Yuma each winter, and while some complain about the traffic others says it’s well worth it.

“Yes the traffic picks up, yes the lines at the grocery store get a little longer, but it all benefits the Yuma community,” says Bill Evans, the General Manager of the Palms RV Resort.

Visit Yuma says that about 15% of the visitors are from Canada.

With tarriffs and other controversies some were afraid not as many Canadians would return this year.

However, Kathie Hankins is a part of this 15-percent and she says she doesn’t understand why people would shy away from coming down.

“Yes there has been a bit of a drop off but I see absolutely no reason for that if yout travel other places in the world you have to fill out immigration forms, all you have to do is abide by the law and you’ll have no worries,” Hankins explains.

Evans says they have over 400 people come to the resort during the winter months.

“One of the biggest benefits is the tourism tax, that is on restaurants and those types of items,” he says.

They also said they saw an increase of visitors by 5% from last year.

“Still below what the pandemic, prior to the pandemic, was, but we’re gaining back and hopefully it’ll grow each year until we get back to those bigger crowds,” Evans says.

Tom Wells, another winter visitor from the United States, shares why he comes from across the country to stay in Yuma.

"Amazing people, it’s just a wonderful place to be, you know the only place I have to worry about snow or look at snow is in a distant mountain, and the only ice I have to deal with is in the drink I hold in my hand,” Wells says.

Visit Yuma also says 15% of snowbirds intend to cross into Mexico.