Nova Scotia snowbirds fly south despite low Canadian dollar

Travellers and travel agents say snowbirds are flying south this winter despite a low Canadian dollar.

The Canadian dollar is current worth about 71 cents USright now the lowest since 2003.

But asenior travel consultant withMaritime Travel says peopleplanning to headsouth won't let the exchange rate slow them down.

"They're still going," Karla Hatfield said Thursday.

"It's funny people are always able to find the extra money if that's really what they want."

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Another travel agent says no clients have cancelled plans for a destination wedding, cruise or even March Break in Disneyland.

"They're changing and tweaking their plans a little bit to try to bring the costs down, grumbling about the dollar being so low, but they're still going ahead with their vacation plans," said Shelly MonroeofSweet Escapes Travel in West Porters Lake, N.S.

'Because of last winter'

Two travellers in Herring Cove, N.S.,look at it the same way.They say it's easy to findan excuse to spend the extra money.

"Because of last winter, that would be one reason," Diane Power said.

Power and her husband plan onbeing in Florida next month no matter what the dollar looks like.

"At some point, it might make us go to a different country rather than the U.S.," Bob Power said.

The couple also says theymay drive to Florida this yearto save a little money on renting a car. But they saythe dollar will have to dip a lot lower than 71cents before they give upasnowbird life style.

Prices are up everywhere

Traveleverywhere is more expensive this year, Hatfield says. She's seen packages to Mexico that cost$1,100last year now being sold foraround $1,500.

Regardless, shesays more people than ever, it seems, are travelling, especially once they're bitten by the travel bug.

"They do it once and they're back next year, as well," Hatfield said.

"They get now what everyone is saying and doing ... People just want toget away."