Towns in the Path of Totality Prepare for Influx of Visitors for Solar Eclipse

Municipalities across Central and Eastern Canada have been preparing for months for an event that will only last for three and a half minutes: a total solar eclipse that will plunge parts of the country into complete darkness.

Cities and towns in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island are getting ready to welcome thousands of visitors from all over Canada and beyond who are hoping to witness a rare alignment of the sun, Earth, and moon on April 8.

These municipalities are seizing the opportunity to attract tourists in large numbers. Visitors may find that the peak travel season has come early, with hotels fully booked and attractions like live music performances and food trucks available before their usual summer hours.

For Miramichi, N.B., the solar eclipse is shaping up to be the highlight of the year’s tourism season, according to Paul McGraw, the city’s economic development officer, located about 180 kilometers northeast of Fredericton.

“We identified the opportunity early in 2023, but then it became a question of how to make the most of it,” Mr. McGraw recounted.

Miramichi is set to host a series of events centered around the solar eclipse starting on Wednesday (April 3) and continuing through the weekend, featuring a drone light show, an astronomy conference, a music festival, and an innovation fair welcoming 2,500 students from Atlantic Canada.

The city, with a population of around 18,000, has procured 20,000 pairs of eclipse eyewear and has also allocated space for local businesses to sell related equipment.

Enthusiasts can head to the Miramichi-Chatham Airport parking lot on the day of the eclipse to enjoy an unobstructed view free of charge, as Mr. McGraw mentioned.

“We currently have over 800 bookings, and our capacity is 1,500 cars,” he remarked, estimating that up to 6,000 people may gather for the eclipse.

Elsewhere, the demand and prices for hotels and short-term rentals for the solar eclipse weekend have skyrocketed. According to a report from Airbnb, Niagara Falls and Montreal are the two most popular destinations for that weekend.

“This eclipse is making Montreal particularly attractive, especially for those residing north of the trajectory, so we anticipate seeing more of this clientele on April 8,” stated Montreal public affairs spokesperson Aurélie de Blois in an email.

In the Niagara region, many hotels are fully booked, with some charging double their standard rates for the weekend. The city is expecting over one million visitors during the eclipse weekend.

“We have 14,000 hotel rooms,” mentioned Janice Thomson, president, and CEO of Niagara Falls Tourism. “Hotels are almost completely booked up.”

She added that travelers had made reservations months in advance for the special event, while many locals from nearby regions are expected to travel by train or car to witness the historic moment.

Additional GO Transit trains will be running to and from Niagara Falls that day, as the regional transit operator anticipates a surge in travelers. Extra cars will also be added to the trains to accommodate as many people as possible.

Ontario is home to several other locations along the path of totality, where the full eclipse will be visible, including Hamilton, Belleville, and Kingston.

Visitors to Kingston have the option of taking a boat trip on Lake Ontario during the eclipse.

“Normally, the 1000 Islands Cruise doesn’t open this early in their season,” said Ashley Bradshaw, destination development manager at Tourism Kingston. “Our major attractions typically don’t open until late May and the summer season.”

Ashley Bradshaw added that Kingston hotels have seen an increase in bookings, dating back to last fall, and are expecting visitors from Japan, England, and Finland.

Port Colborne, located on Lake Erie about 30 kilometers south of Niagara Falls, has set up various activities to make the day an educational adventure for visitors.

The day’s schedule includes an inflatable planetarium with astronomical projections, telescope tours to observe sunspots and flares, and Let’s Talk Science sessions with experts from Brock University.

“There’s something for everyone,” stated Scott Luey, chief administrative officer of Port Colborne.

“If you want to be by the lake, you can be by the lake. If you prefer to be in one of our parks, you have that option,” Mr. Luey added.

“We offer a front-row seat to the event. It’s an excellent place to gather.”