2024-04-10 08:00:00
Safety glasses. Rented cars. Nights at the hotel. The total solar eclipse lasted only a few minutes, but throughout its trajectory, from Mexico to Canada, it generated billions of dollars in economic benefits.
Millions of people traveled to experience this rare astronomical phenomenon – and the expenses were high.
Rush towards the trajectory of totality
Many hotels in the path of the solar eclipse were at maximum capacity. In Estrie, Quebec, almost all hotels, chalets and condos were full, according to Tourisme Cantons-de-l’Est.
In the Niagara region of Ontario, more than 98% of the approximately 14,000 hotel rooms were booked for the occasion.
These are very rare events. We expect Taylor Swift in Toronto to have such occupancy rates.
A quote from Frédéric Dimanche, director of the Ted Rogers School of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Toronto Metropolitan University
The expert believes that this was a golden opportunity for hotels to fill their coffers even before the start of summer, the peak season for the tourism industry.
$ or $200 sold for $800 or $1000 sometimes”,”text”:”We saw in Niagara, as elsewhere, prices soared. A room that normally might have sold for $150 or $200 sold for $800 or $1000 sometimes”}}”>We saw in Niagara, as elsewhere, prices soared. A room that normally might have sold for $150 or $200 sometimes sold for $800 or $1,000, says Mr. Dimanche.
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David Adames, president and CEO of the Niagara Parks Commission, says more than a million visitors came to the region to view the total solar eclipse.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Maxime Beauchemin
David Adames, general manager of the Niagara Parks Commission, believes this enthusiasm is timely. The industry is still recovering from the devastating effects of the pandemic, he says.
With such strong traffic, what a great way to kick off the tourist season!
Many visitors spent money in local businesses. Some Niagara Falls stores, like Gags N’ Giggles gift shop, even sold items related to the solar eclipse.
Mondays are typically quiet, says manager Sam Malik. This rebound in sales is greatly appreciated.
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The Gags N’ Giggles store in Niagara Falls offered themed sweaters and merchandise related to the rare astronomical phenomenon.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Maxime Beauchemin
Up to $6 billion for the American economy
Frédéric Dimanche, director of the Ted Rogers School of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Toronto Metropolitan University, was in Texas to celebrate his son’s graduation ceremony. They also took the opportunity to observe the impressive spectacle of shadows and light on site.
Recently I wanted to make a car reservation and it was impossible. All the cars were rented. It’s not even a question of price. There were zero rental cars available in Austin, he laments.
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Frédéric Dimanche, director of the Ted Rogers School of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Toronto Metropolitan University, was staying in Austin, Texas, to watch the solar eclipse with his son.
Photo: Courtesy of Frédéric Dimanche
In the United States, the eclipse would have generated up to US$6 billion in economic activity, thanks in particular to hotel nights, outings to restaurants and travel, according to estimates from the economic analysis firm Perryman Group.
A fascinating infographic from the American firm AirDNA shows Airbnb short-term rental bookings: cities that are in the path of totality of the eclipse were almost full.
The arc of orange dots, represented on the map, became more pronounced over the days preceding the phenomenon.
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An infographic that shows the occupancy rate of Airbnb short-term rentals the day before the solar eclipse. The orange dots, which follow the trajectory of totality, show places at maximum capacity.
Photo : AirDNA
Protective glasses, a good deal
The craze for protective glasses – intended to observe the solar eclipse of April 8 in complete safety – has pushed many suppliers to start selling them. Sometimes these were even companies that were not at all specialized in astronomy.
Toronto-based manufacturer PPE Supply Canada has decided to add these special glasses to its catalog, in addition to selling personal protective equipment, masks and COVID-19 screening tests.
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Toronto-based manufacturer PPE Supply Canada has seen an explosion in its sales of protective eyewear over the past week.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Jason Trout
Many customers lined up at the point of sale in Liberty Village, in downtown Toronto, to get them. h”,”text”:”Some of them had gathered even before our opening at 8 a.m.”}}”>Some of them had gathered even before our opening at 8 a.m., underlines a spokesperson of the company, by email.
With the recent news regarding fake sunglasses being sold on Amazon, we have made sure to continue to educate our customers so that they are equipped with adequate and certified protection.
The manufacturer says its eyewear sales have surged over the past week, with more than 10,000 online orders and more than 3,000 in-person transactions on its last day of sales.
With information from Yasmine Mehdi
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