Eclipse mania in the U.S. Is reaching new heights in 2024.
The forthcoming April 8 eclipse has sold out special flights, cruises, and more—and now, people are flocking to Airbnb to find a place to stay to see the solar event.
Traffic to Airbnb in prime viewing locations for the eclipse is up as much as 1,000%, says the company. Cities in the path of the totality are, understandably, the most in demand.
That’s prompting thousands of people to list Airbnbs for the first time—and some existing hosts are using the excitement as an excuse to raise prices.
Austin is the most popular destination, along with other parts of the Texas Hill Country. Indianapolis is also a popular destination. Both are in the path of the eclipse’s totality. Cleveland, Dallas, and Montreal are also high on travelers’ lists.
“With two-thirds of the U.S. Home to listings in areas with no hotels, Airbnb is making it easier for guests to experience the eclipse in more communities,” the site said.
Some 10% of the people booking have never before booked an Airbnb. Many say they’re looking for a backyard to view the event while others are hoping to have a more private place to experience the eclipse, rather than being surrounded by strangers.
The last total eclipse in North America took place in 2017—and this year is the last time a total solar eclipse will cross North American for more than 20 years, which is driving the interest in the phenomenon.
The interest in the eclipse isn’t limited to ground-based tourists. Delta Air Lines is offering two special flights for umbraphiles, which will let them spend as much time as possible in the path of the eclipse’s totality.