Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - For tourists coming from all the over the world to Western New York to get a glimpse of the Total Solar Eclipse in the Path of Totality, time is running out to book lodging accommodations.
"We don't even have to advertise for people to come, our hotels are already at full capacity, almost," said Patrick Kaler on Friday, President of Visit Buffalo Niagara.
"As well as commanding very high rates over multiple days. So this is going to have a major economic impact because of the hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people who will be coming to Buffalo and Western New York on April 8, as well as the days leading up to and following April 8."
How much are hotel stays going for right now in Western New York?
"We expected it to be at a sell out capacity. We know that we're at a sell out because some of our hotels now have such limited room availability that they're charging $1,000. So it's escalated as it's getting closer to that date. So we know that within our region, there are just so few hotel rooms available, as well as Airbnbs. I have the ability to go on and look at our overall inventory of Airbnb ease on specific dates, and we are at capacity almost with our Airbnbs as well," Kaler added.
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Airbnb Communications Manager Haven Thorn confirms that spots are filling up fast for those looking to book through Airbnb.
"Western New York in particular, is one of the most booked areas across all of North America on Airbnb for the solar eclipse," said Thorn. "As of today (Friday), 20% of listing on the path of totality are still available to book in New York State."
When WBEN checked Friday on Airbnb's website for a long weekend stay in Buffalo, the average one bedroom, apartment-like space was going anywhere between $400-$1,000 a night.
Thorn also adds that there has been a 900% surge in Airbnb site traffic for those looking to book in New York State for the solar eclipse long weekend and compares the amount traffic of bookings to people who book lodging for Taylor Swift concerts.
"When Taylor Swift was doing her ERAs tour in the US, she was visiting so many different places all across the US, [it was] kind of like a mini Eclipse wherever she went. She actually created significant economic opportunity for the local hosts."
In addition, Thorn says the site is also getting many new people to list their spaces to rent out just for the eclipse.
"These are folks that have never opened their homes on a short-term rental platform before, but you know, realize, 'Hey, I live in the past the totality and this is a real economic opportunity to earn some much needed supplemental income in a relatively short amount of time.' And they're welcoming their first ever guest on April 8. And in fact, we're also seeing a wave of new guests, 10% of guests that are traveling on April 8 weekend along that path of totality are first-time bookers."