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Snowbirds have arrived at Arizona's RV parks in greater numbers than last year, and many are staying longer, according to private park operators and industry officials.

"We're doing extremely well. We're up about 16.5 percent in terms of occupancy," said Wendell Johnson, general manager of Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort in Casa Grande.

And while some snowbirds arrived early, others have booked extended stays well into spring. "We've gotten a sizeable number of three month reservations for February, March and April," he said.

An even more dramatic increase in winter visitors has taken place at Rincon Country RV Resort in Tucson, which has seen a 30 percent increase in winter visitors since November. "From November on, occupancies have been running steadily higher," said park owner George O'Leary, adding that his current winter business exceeds his 2006 figures by 4 percent.

Park operators attribute the increase to several factors, including a stronger economy, moderate fuel prices, an improving stock market, and a strong Canadian dollar, said Merlin Jones, president of the Arizona Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds.

Jones, who serves as general manager of Eagle View RV Resort in Fort McDowell, said his park has also seen a significant increase in visitors this winter. "It's a lot better than last year," he said. "We're up a good 10 percent. We're still receiving reservations for monthlies for February and March."

Desert's Edge RV Village in Phoenix has also seen an increase in its snowbird business, both in terms of daily and monthly visitors. "I'm very excited," said park owner Saundra Bryn. "For January, we were up 10 percent over last year. That's wonderful for us."

Not every park has had a significant, but in this economy, even modest gains are welcome.

"We're pleasantly surprised this year," said Jim Beach, general manager of National Mobile Development, which owns Mesa Spirit RV Resort in Mesa. "We're not phenomenally up. But we're up a couple of percent." About 60 percent of Mesa Spirit's RV sites are allocated for transient RVers, with the balance being by snowbirds who spend the winter in park models.

The Arizona Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds represents private campgrounds and RV parks and resorts across the Grand Canyon State. For help locating industry sources, statistics and other information about camping trends in Arizona, please contact Merlin Jones at (480) 789-5316 or email him at mjones@fmyn.com. Additional information on Arizona parks is available at www.azrvparks.com. Contact information for the parks referenced in this release is provided below:

• Desert's Edge RV Village, Phoenix, Saundra Bryn, (602) 672-8263 or [ e-mail ]
• Eagle View RV Resort, Fort McDowell, Merlin Jones, (480) 789-5316 or [ e-mail ]
• Mesa Spirit RV Resort, Mesa, Jim Beach, (480) 830-0338 or [ e-mail ]
• Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort, Casa Grande, Wendell Johnson, (800) 421-7004 or [ e-mail ]
• Rincon Country RV Resort, Tucson, George O'Leary, (520) 886-8431 or [ e-mail ]