The demand to see the biggest cosmic event in the US, the “Great American Eclipse” is soaring high along with the prices.
Tourists can see this amazing cosmic event from several state capitals, including Salem in Oregon, St Louis in Missouri and Nashville in Tennessee. Because of concerns about traffic chaos on Monday, any hotel or motel on the line of totality is able to charge astronomical sums for the night before the eclipse. There is no more rooms available in Jackson, Wyoming which charged about $1,500 (£1,165) each and a week later which will be $100 (£77).
A total solar eclipse that begins in the north Pacific will blot out the sun as it races across the United States between 6.18pm and 7.48pm British time. It is the first total solar eclipse visible from anywhere in the continental US since 1979.
There are dozens of British eclipse-chasers on organised and DIY tours who have flown from Heathrow to Salt Lake City, the nearest gateway to popular viewing sites in Idaho and Wyoming. Not only the hotel fares, but the air ticket prices have also seen a gradual rise in the cost. The non-stop Delta flight has increased from £1,000 to over £1,500. Some other destinations are charging high prices from the eclipse-chasers as it is also coinciding with the peak season on transatlantic flights.
From the London area flights to Charleston, South Carolina, which is both the final and the most historic city on the line of totality, have risen to over £1,600 return. Similar fares are being charged to and from Nashville.
The Oregon authorities are expecting more than a million visitors during the eclipse. Officials in Salem said that since August is already prime vacation season in many areas of the state; expect nearly everything to be above capacity for nearly a week total.
