Videocrux - Financial Crisis affecting tourism in Florida.

#Videocrux - Financial Crisis affecting tourism in Florida. Financial Crisis affecting tourism in Florida.
Real estate agents in Florida say the state is suffering from a decline in seasonal visitors amid the downturn in the American economy. Lisa Durgin, Owner - Edwards RealtyRobert Slack, VP - Canadian Snowbirds AssociationAbraham Pizam, Dean - University of Central Florida. Beautiful beaches and balmy temperatures year round make Cocoa Beach, Florida a popular destination for snowbirds. Hundreds of thousands of elderly people come to Florida each year to escape the cold winter further north. But the struggling U.S. economy has hit that annual migration."It's tough right now".Lisa Durgin is a Cocoa Beach real estate agent. She says some realtors have only managed to rent about half their properties this winter when usually 100 percent are full. Lisa Durgin Owner, Edwards Realty, "I think it's just the overall economy. I think people, especially when you're older and you're retired, you just hold on or you want to stay closer to home. And when your finances look a bit different you're afraid to spend money". Many “snowbirds” like Bob Slack from Ontario, Canada, spend their winters playing golf in Florida. Slack came down again this year, despite his concerns about the Canadian economy. Super: Robert Slack - First Vice President, Canadian Snowbirds Association, "They're talking about the first quarter of '09 being a difficult time". Slack has cut back the amount of money he spends while in Florida. He eats out less and plays fewer rounds of golf. He says many of his fellow snowbirds are also trying to save cash amid the economic downturn. Robert Slack - First Vice President, Canadian Snowbirds Association, "Their concern is that they can't come for as long as what they have before Right now they're staying at home in order to watch their pocket book". Analysts say some snowbirds have lost retirement funds in the U.S. financial crisis.
Decline in seasonal visitors in Florida.
Real estate agents in Florida say the state is suffering from a decline in seasonal visitors amid the downturn in the American economy. Lisa Durgin, Owner - Edwards RealtyRobert Slack, VP - Canadian Snowbirds Association Abraham Pizam, Dean - University of Central Florida. Beautiful beaches and balmy temperatures year round make Cocoa Beach, Florida a popular destination for snowbirds. Hundreds of thousands of elderly people come to Florida each year to escape the cold winter further north. But the struggling U.S. economy has hit that annual migration.
Real State agents suffering due to lack of tourists.
"It's tough right now".Lisa Durgin is a Cocoa Beach real estate agent. She says some realtors have only managed to rent about half their properties this winter when usually 100 percent are full. Lisa Durgin Owner, Edwards Realty, "I think it's just the overall economy. I think people, especially when you're older and you're retired, you just hold on or you want to stay closer to home. And when your finances look a bit different you're afraid to spend money".
People cutting back the money they spend during holidays.
Many “snowbirds” like Bob Slack from Ontario, Canada, spend their winters playing golf in Florida. Slack came down again this year, despite his concerns about the Canadian economy. Super: Robert Slack - First Vice President, Canadian Snowbirds Association, "They're talking about the first quarter of '09 being a difficult time". Slack has cut back the amount of money he spends while in Florida. He eats out less and plays fewer rounds of golf. He says many of his fellow snowbirds are also trying to save cash amid the economic downturn.
People staying at home in order to watch their pockets.
Robert Slack - First Vice President, Canadian Snowbirds Association, "Their concern is that they can't come for as long as what they have before Right now they're staying at home in order to watch their pocket book". Analysts say some snowbirds have lost retirement funds in the U.S. financial crisis.

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