Susan Hochman is planning a trip to see the solar eclipse on April 8 in Saranac Lake, New York, and will be spending $650 for one night at a Best Western hotel, which is usually much cheaper during less busy periods. She initially wanted to stay at a luxury resort but found it to be out of her budget at $700 a night. The hotel she booked at has seen a significant increase in room rates, especially on the day of the eclipse, with prices dropping after the event. Other accommodations in the area are also fully booked, with prices set much higher than usual due to the high demand for rooms.
The solar eclipse is expected to bring in significant economic benefits to local businesses as millions of tourists travel along the path of totality to witness the event. The total impact on local economies could reach up to $1 billion as tourists spend on lodging, dining, souvenirs, and other goods and services. Accommodations like Airbnb rentals are in high demand, with a 1,000% increase in searches for stays along the eclipse’s path. Over half of the listings on Airbnb in cities directly in the eclipse’s path are already booked as of April 7, 2024.
Vacasa, another vacation rental management company, has noted that tourists are most eager to watch the eclipse from states like Texas, Vermont, and Maine based on searches for homes on their platform. Average daily rates for rental homes in popular eclipse-watching destinations are high, with prices in cities like Burlington, Vermont, at $506 per night. Airline ticket prices to some eclipse destinations are also up, with the average flight to Dallas-Fort Worth costing $1,900. Travel experts advise last-minute travelers to save money by staying outside the path of totality and driving in for the event or by using tools like Kayak to find the cheapest hotel options.
Overall, the eclipse is set to be a major event for businesses and tourism along the 115-mile-wide path from Texas to Maine where the totality will be visible. Towns and cities in this path are anticipating a spike in business as sky-gazing tourists flock to the area for the rare celestial event. With accommodations like hotels and Airbnb rentals in high demand, prices have been inflated, making it a costly but potentially profitable venture for those in the hospitality industry. Travelers are advised to plan ahead and consider alternate lodging options to save money while still experiencing the eclipse.
