Feeling the excitement of the eclipse in the United States that will occur in 2024.
The upcoming April 8 eclipse has caused special flights, cruises, and other accommodations to be fully booked. Now, people are turning to Airbnb to find a place to stay and witness this celestial event.
Airbnb’s website traffic in prime eclipse viewing locations has surged by up to 1,000%, according to the company. Cities in the path of totality are naturally the most sought-after.
This surge has led to thousands of new Airbnb listings, with some existing hosts taking advantage of the hype to increase prices.
Austin, Texas, and other parts of the Texas Hill Country are the most popular destinations, as well as Indianapolis, Indiana, all of which fall within the path of totality. Cleveland, Dallas, and Montreal are also top choices for travelers.
“With two-thirds of US homes located in areas without hotels, Airbnb is providing more opportunities for guests to witness the eclipse in various communities,” the site stated.
Approximately 10% of bookings are from first-time Airbnb users. Many are looking for a backyard to watch the eclipse in private, rather than being surrounded by strangers.
The last total eclipse in North America occurred in 2017, and this year marks the final total solar eclipse to cross North America for over 20 years, driving interest in this phenomenon.
Interest in the eclipse isn’t limited to ground-based tourists. Delta Air Lines is offering two special flights for umbraphiles, allowing them to maximize their time in the path of totality.
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