You Must Be Trippin'

What Winter?

February 2 2010 by Bryson Forbes

Earlier this week, the senior climatologist for Environment Canada, David Phillips, went on record to say that most of Canada can expect this season's mild winter weather to continue. Already in the dead of winter, most of us have been left scratching our heads and asking, "What winter?" Toronto, as an example, has only had 24 cm. of snow to date this season versus 110 cm. at the same time last year! With these balmy conditions, what does it mean for travel?

In previous assignments, where I was focused predominantly on leisure travel, I relied heavily on outbound travel by disgruntled sun-seeking Canucks escaping winter from November to April. At that time, cold and miserable weather meant (or at least we thought) more last-minute money.

Although my focus has shifted more recently to corporate travel, my perspective has been more dramatically altered by an interesting argument:

The hypothesis is a complete 180-degree shift and argues that a milder winter actually increases the likelihood that Canadians will travel both for leisure and for business. The supporting evidence comes from three assumptions.

1. A milder winter means more savings. Heat, gas and hydro bills should be significantly reduced on an individual basis but municipalities are also saving millions in salt and snow removal. Extra money translates to more disposal income and more opportunity for people to get away.


2. A mild winter also leads to greater productivity. With conditions for moving around much easier than normal, people are getting to work on time, making their appointments and connecting with more contacts than they might otherwise be able to. This leads to greater productivity, which in turn means that targets are achieved and people are able to take the trip they may have missed last winter.


3. A mild winter makes us happier. No shovelling, no hibernating and fewer traffic jams leaves most of us in a much better frame of mind. With positive thoughts, people are dreaming of the places they want to go.

Are you convinced? I am. A happier, wealthier and more productive person is much more likely to get up and go than a miserable, grumpy one looking to escape. And besides, with these mild conditions, it makes getting away much easier. In fact, I'm heading to Ottawa next week and would never think to drive in February--but it's an option this year!

Are you more likely to travel this winter with these mild conditions?

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