 An annual migration has begun: residents of snowy states are leaving or are getting ready to leave for warmer regions all across the Southern and Western United States.
Many of these travelers – Winter Texans as they are called in the Lone Star State – steer their motor homes and fifth-wheels to southern destinations most every fall and early winter season. Their most popular destinations include the Rio Grande Valley, Hill Country and Coastal Bend areas of Texas.
The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) estimates that about 1.2 million RV owners – 16 percent of all RV owners in America – escape cold climates each year by joining the annual exodus. Texas receives at least 35% of these visitors each year, an annual pilgrimage WTs (Winter Texans) pay to their preferred "home away from home."
But, unlike retirees in their 60s and 70s who defined the Winter Texan experience in the past, today’s travelers have been joined by Baby Boomers in their mid to late 50s who also want to leave the winter snows behind.
 According to a recent article by Dennis Gaub in Kompass Magazine, characteristics of the winter RVer are changing. Earlier winter RVers typically returned to favorite parks or campgrounds every winter and tended to stay in one place for 3-4 months. Today’s seasonal travelers, however, often take shorter trips and move every few weeks as they explore a state or region.
These visitors venture “off the beaten path” to take in museums and other cultural attractions across the state, as well as restaurants and special events and festivals.
Nathan Bell, a San Antonio travel consultant, reports that statistically, winter visitors to Texas are getting younger and many travel with their school age children. Most opt to home school children old enough to attend school, but a few use tutors or personal coaches to help the students through their lessons.
 According to the experts, Texas is seeing is a lot of first-time RVers in recent years that are in their mid- or late 50s. Experts agree that in the past, many winter travelers to Texas were lifetime RV travelers who first showed up with their families and later came by themselves after retiring. For many, traveling to Texas has been a family tradition for years.
Several studies done in recent years help profile winter travelers to Texas.
A past University of Texas-Pan American study of Winter Texans visiting the Rio Grande Valley during the winter found:
 An estimated 145,000 travelers visited the valley during the peak of the winter season (February). Travelers pumped nearly $340 million into the Valley economy.
When a multiplier effect was applied, Winter Texans' total economic impact rose to over $480 million; this impact was credited with creating nearly 8,000 local jobs.
Thirty-six percent of the winter visitors volunteered their services to local nonprofit organizations.
The typical Winter Texan couple lived in an RV or motor home, hailed from the Midwest, stayed 3.5 months in the Rio Grande Valley, completed their tenth trip to the Valley and planned to return next year.
A 1997 study by the Texas Department of Economic Development's Tourism Division, profiled Winter Texans as well. They were defined as all non-Texans taking leisure trips to Texas that started between November 1st and March 31st; travelers had to stay in Texas at least six nights to be included.
Interestingly, this earlier study found that visitors between 25 and 34 made up the largest single age group for Winter Texan trips. However, RVs dominated Winter Texan travel in regions known for long stays by their winter guests, such as the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
Meanwhile, the RVIA recently reported that factory-to-dealer deliveries of recreation vehicles (RVs) in 2003 were forecast to reach the third-highest annual totals in a quarter century as baby boomers continue to drive up sales.
"Helping drive RV sales are the vast baby boomer market and the surging popularity of driving vacations in the United States," said RVIA President David J. Humphreys. "Families want to escape to America's outdoors in these uncertain times, spend quality time together, and avoid hassles associated with flying – all long-term trends likely to sustain continued RV market growth."
Further evidence that the RV travelers – including Winter Texans – are getting younger comes from a 2001 University of Michigan study. It found the number of RVs owned by those 35 to 54 grew faster than all other age groups between 1998-2001.
The outlook for winter tourism in Texas has become considerably better this year in part because of the hurricane-ravaged Florida RV country. While the exact impact won't be known until after the season has reached its peak, an estimated 50,000 more RVers could be heading to Texas this year over last, a direct result of weather problems in Florida.
With the growing number of attractions and activities for winter visitors in Texas, there's little doubt that the annual exodus from snowy states will continue in the year ahead, and Texas will become more and more a viable destination for those wanting to escape Jack Frost and his wintery companions. Welcome back to Texas!
Additional Resources
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Brownsville
Winter Texans Begin
Texas RV Park & Resort Directory