The Future. Today’s total solar eclipse has become a major tourist attraction across the southern US, the Midwest, and New England, creating more economic activity than the shorter and less land-covering one in 2017. With the eclipse expected to generate more revenue for city economies than the Super Bowl or a even a sold-out Taylor Swift show, look for states to heavily market rare natural phenomena as must-see events.
Yellow brick roadThe eclipse economy has been booming the past few days.
As many as 4 million Americans are traveling across the country to view the event at one of the cities along the total eclipse path, including Austin, TX, Rochester, NY, and Cleveland, OH.
Economists estimate that the tourism will generate over a billion dollars in revenue, as hotels, campgrounds, and restaurants are inundated with both eclipse chasers and the 31.6 million people who already live along the eclipse’s path.
So, cities are getting ready, organizing eclipse-themed festivals, food specials, and viewing parties.
Texas, especially, is expecting a major windfall, with UT at San Antonio economic professor Bulent Temel claiming that it’ll be the most profitable event in the state’s history on a “minute-to-minute basis.”
Considering that most states won’t get another chance to watch a total eclipse until 2044 (Vermont won’t get one until 2106), there might be nothing as money-making or community-building as a once-in-a-generation event.
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