U.S. cities on the path of Monday’s total solar eclipse will experience an influx of visitors this Sunday, April 7 and Monday, April 8. One standout performer is Evansville, Ind., where hotels are set to witness a more than fivefold increase in arrivals (505 percent) over the two dates, compared to the same period last year, according to SiteMinder data. Reflecting this surge in demand, SiteMinder’s figures show that the average cost of a hotel room in the city will be up 48.7 percent for the two dates in question, from $224.73 last year to $334.18 this year.
SiteMinder’s data also reveals strong numbers in Buffalo, N.Y., with hotel arrivals for this coming Sunday and Monday rising to almost three times higher (276 percent) than those the city saw for the same dates last year. Room rates increased correspondingly, by 92.77 percent, from $161.56 last year to $311.44 this year.
Dallas-Forth Worth-Arlington, the largest metropolitan area on the narrow path traced by the total solar eclipse, will also enjoy a two-day bonanza. According to SiteMinder’s figures, total arrivals at Dallas hotels on April 7 and 8 will be up 60.71 percent, compared to the same period in 2023. The average room rate has increased in line with this, by 17.77 percent, for the two dates.
The figures from SiteMinder also reveal the great anticipation which has built up around the total solar eclipse event, with the lead time on hotel bookings in Buffalo increasing by 482.16 percent year-on-year, to over 130 days. Dallas has witnessed a similar year-on-year increase of 342.54 percent, from 35 days in 2023 to 154 days this year.
“Events such as the upcoming total solar eclipse provide an opportunity for hotels to bring in critical revenue by capitalizing on surges in demand," Jason Lugo, market vice president for the Americas at SiteMinder, said in a statement. "They have already done the first part, which is ensuring their visibility to eclipse-chasers and securing their bookings. Additionally, they have employed clever, dynamic revenue management strategies to ensure their prices reflect the demand.
“With their guests now due to arrive, it is time for hotels to take the next important step of offering a frictionless and personalized guest experience. This will maximize their opportunities to upsell to today’s experience-led, deal-hungry travelers, thereby further increasing their revenue.”