Taking advantage of the craze for the April 8 eclipse, hotels in Niagara Falls, where the sun will be completely obscured, have increased their prices tenfold.
Rather than paying around a hundred dollars, you will have to pay more than $1,000 to stay from April 7 to 8, and observe the eclipse in optimal conditions. The amounts reach peaks on the American side, potentially exceeding $4,000.
The total eclipse is expected to last only three and a half minutes. But between a free concert and thematic evenings, the City of Niagara Falls is preparing a real event. The Niagara Symphony Orchestra “will play the prelude to the total solar eclipse, and will resume operations once the total eclipse has been reached,” according to the city’s website.
Mayor Jim Diodati expects to welcome “up to a million” tourists, which would make it the biggest event in the history of Niagara Falls, which is accustomed to receiving many tourists.
The last major gathering dates back to 2012, when American tightrope walker Nik Wallenda crossed the falls on a wire. Some 100,000 to 150,000 people then came to observe the feat.
For April 8, the municipality recommends bringing “snacks, water, phone chargers, entertainment, medicine and first aid products”.
Niagara Falls anticipates heavy traffic starting April 5, and even anticipates that the cellular network will be compromised, due to the traffic.
This report is supported by the Local Journalism Initiative, funded by the Government of Canada.