Buffalo, New York – Hotel rates in the path of the upcoming solar eclipse have skyrocketed, leaving many eclipse watchers in a panic as their reservations are canceled and resold at exorbitant prices. The eclipse, set to sweep across 15 states in the US, Mexico, and Canada, is expected to attract millions of spectators and bring significant economic benefits to local communities.
As travelers scramble to secure lodging in the prime viewing areas, hotels are sold out with prices soaring. Analysis from the New York Times revealed hotels in Grayville, Illinois, advertising rooms at nearly ten times their usual rates. In Buffalo, New York, where a million visitors are anticipated for the event, hotel and flight bookings have quadrupled compared to the previous year.
Amid the frenzy for accommodations, a travel agency had to rearrange lodging for over 150 individuals after their bookings made two years ago were abruptly canceled. Rooms that were originally priced at $129 to $159 were resold at $450 or more, causing outrage among travelers and industry professionals alike. The situation was described as “total price gouging” by the agency’s owner, Chris Donnelly.
The hotel group responsible for the cancellations cited a mistake with overbooking as the reason behind the sudden changes. However, they reassured that no canceled rooms were offered as new reservations. The region’s tourism bureau expressed disappointment in the situation, emphasizing that they do not support the practice of canceling room bookings for profit.
The tourism bureau’s president and CEO, Patrick Kaler, condemned the actions taken by hotels, stating that prioritizing profit over customer experience and destination reputation is unacceptable. The eclipse, a mesmerizing celestial event, has inadvertently led to chaos in the hospitality industry, leaving travelers scrambling for accommodations and feeling exploited. Travelers are advised to be cautious and vigilant when booking accommodations for upcoming events to avoid falling victim to price gouging tactics.