Municipalities across Central and Eastern Canada have been preparing for months for a rare event that will last only three-and-a-half minutes: a total solar eclipse that will plunge parts of the country into 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 on April 8 to witness the unique alignment of the sun, Earth, and moon.
Local governments are seizing this opportunity to attract tourists in large numbers, with hotels fully booked and seasonal attractions opening ahead of schedule.
For Miramichi, N.B., the solar eclipse is set to be the highlight of the year’s tourism season, according to Paul McGraw, the city’s economic development officer.
“We saw the potential early in 2023, and then it was a matter of how we could make the most of it,” Mr. McGraw said.
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Miramichi will kick off solar eclipse-themed events from Wednesday (April 3) through the weekend, featuring a drone light show, astronomy conference, music festival, and an innovation fair welcoming 2,500 students from across Atlantic Canada.
The city, with a population of around 18,000, has procured 20,000 eclipse glasses and is also allowing local businesses to sell equipment.
Enthusiasts can gather at the Miramichi-Chatham Airport parking lot on the day of the eclipse for an unobstructed view free of charge, according to Mr. McGraw.
“We currently have over 800 bookings, with a capacity for 1,500 cars,” he said, estimating a crowd of around 6,000 people for the eclipse. “It’s quite optimistic.”
Elsewhere, demand and prices for hotels and short-term rentals during the solar eclipse weekend have skyrocketed.
Niagara Falls and Montreal are the top two destinations for bookings during that period, as per a report from Airbnb.
“This eclipse makes Montreal an attractive destination, especially for those residing north of the trajectory, so we anticipate a higher number of visitors on April 8,” said Montreal public affairs spokesperson Aurélie de Blois in an email.
In the Niagara region, many hotels are fully booked, with some charging double their usual rates for the weekend. The city is expecting over a million visitors during the eclipse weekend.
“We have 14,000 hotel rooms,” said Janice Thomson, president and CEO of Niagara Falls Tourism. “The hotels are almost completely booked up.”
Travellers made reservations months in advance for the special event, while locals from nearby areas are expected to arrive by train or car to witness the historic event.
Additional GO Transit trains will be running to and from Niagara Falls on that day, with extra cars added to accommodate the surge in travelers.
Ontario boasts 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 a boat trip on Lake Ontario during the eclipse.
“The 1000 Islands Cruise typically doesn’t open this early in the season,” said Ashley Bradshaw, destination development manager at Tourism Kingston. “Our major attractions usually open in late May or the summer season.”
Kingston hotels have seen an increase in bookings, with visitors expected from Japan, England, and Finland.
Port Colborne on Lake Erie, approximately 30 kilometers south of Niagara Falls, has organized educational activities for visitors on the day of the eclipse.
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,” said Scott Luey, chief administrative officer of Port Colborne. “Whether you prefer to be by the lake or in one of our parks, there are plenty of options. We have a front-row seat to the event—it’s a fantastic place to gather.”
