Not Just a Phase: The Impact of the 2024 Solar Eclipse on Small Towns
Cities in the path of Monday’s total solar eclipse experienced approximately four minutes of darkness as the moon stepped in front of the sun. It was a momentary and brief celestial event; however, the economic impact of the eclipse will likely linger in cities and towns across North America for months to come.
Mazatlán was the first to experience totality on Monday. Normally a quiet fishing and beach town off the western coast of Mexico, the city experienced a massive spike in visitors this week. It is estimated that Mazatlán saw over 100,000 tourists, which generated about $30 million in economic output.
A large swath of cities and towns across Texas also experienced totality. It was estimated that eclipse tourism generated about $285 million to the Lone Star state’s economy, the “most profitable 22 minutes in Texas history.”
Collectively, tourism related to this year’s eclipse will likely generate over $1.5 billion across the US – a perhaps much needed economic jolt to communities in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Many cities in the path of totality are accustomed to traffic and large gatherings. Indianapolis, for instance, expected about 100,000 visitors for the eclipse – but it also hosted this year’s NBA All-Stars Game, among other major events. Urban centers like Indianapolis, Cleveland, and Dallas were likely prepared to withstand the large influx of visitors and tourists because of the eclipse.
For smaller towns, the event represented both a challenge and a major win. For example, Kerrville, Texas (which is ordinarily home to about 25,000 people), saw its population more than triple in size this week. The massive jump requires a lot of planning and preparation – but it also means that there are more people who may come back to visit Kerrville in the future. Many small towns in the path of totality are capitalizing on their prime location to show off their charm and hopefully entice eclipse travelers to return for vacations in the years to come.
Monday’s eclipse was a unique and spectacular celestial event witnessed by millions of people across North America. If you missed it this time – don’t worry – the next one is scheduled in about twenty years. If you start planning now, that’s just enough time to book a hotel room and maybe buy a plane ticket.