Second Wave of Winter Visitors Boosts Yuma Economy, Resorts Report Steady Turnout

Visit Yuma estimates roughly 60,000-70,000 snowbirds visit Yuma each winter, and local resort managers reported signs of a second wave in late January as longer grocery lines and heavier traffic returned to town. The seasonal influx is already showing up at downtown shops, RV parks and cross-border clinics, with business owners and county figures pointing to a noticeable economic lift.

Yuma County officials cite winter population growth of almost 80,000 people and an annual contribution of $452 million from winter visitors, figures county materials highlight as central to the local economy. Independent analyses present different but complementary measures: Tourism Arizona’s IMPLAN analysis estimates total output - direct, indirect and induced spending - of $453 million for December through May, while Tourism Arizona also estimates a direct economic impact of $179 million tied to winter visitors at RV parks or in owned homes. The ASU Center for Sustainable Tourism’s RV-focused study (2017-18) measured 22,000 RV travel parties, $138.7 million in direct spending, an average of $6,305 per travel party and a total economic output of $403.3 million that supported 4,027 jobs and $141.3 million in labor income.

Those dollars are visible on Main Street and beyond. Downtown Yuma is described as a hotspot for tourists, and several shops report higher foot traffic. Serena Koogle, owner of Rebel and Rove, said she is "already beginning to see Canadian visitors and that she is not worried about a drop in numbers." New owner Benya Blonski said "even if the numbers drop, he believes Yuma's local customers will be more than enough to continue to support shops." Holiday-season reporting also showed gains: Abigail Gutierrez of GM Accessories said, "We knew for a fact that December was gonna be a good month," and CJ Alberts of Sunny's Bookstore reported sales up about 25 percent compared to the prior holiday season.

Seasonal patterns and travel habits sharpen the local impact. ASU found January is the most common arrival month for RV winter tourists (25 percent) and February the most common departure month (26 percent). The vast majority of winter visitors - more than 90 percent of respondents in ASU surveys - use their own vehicle while in Yuma County, and many RV visitors tow a car for local errands and appointments.

Cross-border commerce remains a linked but uneven story. Los Algodones, Mexico, a frequent destination for affordable dental work and prescriptions just a 15-minute drive from Yuma’s western edge, continues to draw visitors, but some businesses there report a slow start. Bill Pace, a winter visitor from Washington State, said, "Saved a lot of money. People are very nice." Heno Legaspi Figueroa at Phoenix Drugstore observed, "It's slow. The winter visitors are just getting here. We thought it might be a low season for us," and added, "I think because of what's happening in the US, some people are afraid to come into Mexico. We usually get visitors from Canada. The Canadian visitors are slow to come so far. Thanks be to God, others are coming. Those who do come do so because they can find more..."

For Yuma residents the near-term picture is clear: more shoppers, fuller RV parks and added demand for services translate into sales and seasonal employment, yet differing estimates and early signs of fewer Canadian arrivals introduce uncertainty for businesses that rely heavily on cross-border and Canadian clientele. City leaders, resort operators and shop owners will be watching arrival patterns and occupancy in the weeks ahead to see whether the second wave sustains the winter boost.