WASHINGTON — Florida already is the top destination for Canadian snowbirds, and more could flock to the Sunshine State soon.
Tucked into the massive immigration reform bill being debated in the Senate is a provision that would allow retirees from Canada to stay up to eight months in the United States — two months longer than current law allows.
Realtors, tourism officials and lawmakers say the change could provide a tremendous boost to the Florida economy still recovering from the Great Recession.
“That’s a 30 percent increase in the potential amount that Canadians could spend on everything from accommodations to dining and grocery stores,” said Will Seccombe, president and CEO for VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s official tourism marketing corporation. “When you get a long length of stay, it has exponential impacts in spending throughout the entire community.”
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