Searches surge in Canada ahead of the last total solar eclipse for years
Key Takeaways
- Airbnb data reveals a 300% increase in searches for stays along the solar eclipse path of totality in Canada, highlighting the excitement around the opportunity to experience more than three minutes of darkness as the eclipse crosses North America.
- Airbnb listings outnumber hotels by more than 18 times along the path of totality in Canada, offering guests the opportunity to book stays with more amenities and in more communities across the path of totality.
- To inspire total wanderlust, grab your solar glasses as we share Canadian spaces perfect for an out-of-this-world eclipse experience.
Key Takeaways
- Airbnb data reveals a 300% increase in searches for stays along the solar eclipse path of totality in Canada, highlighting the excitement around the opportunity to experience more than three minutes of darkness as the eclipse crosses North America.
- Airbnb listings outnumber hotels by more than 18 times along the path of totality in Canada, offering guests the opportunity to book stays with more amenities and in more communities across the path of totality.
- To inspire total wanderlust, grab your solar glasses as we share Canadian spaces perfect for an out-of-this-world eclipse experience.
As the days grow longer and the weather warms, interest in the solar eclipse is helping to drive travel this spring, with Canadian cities along the eclipse’s path named among spring’s top trending destinations. On April 8, skies stretching from Mexico, the US, and Canada are set to darken mid-day, marking the last time a total solar eclipse will cross North America for more than 20 years.
Trending Canadian destinations along the path of totality
Interest in the 2024 solar eclipse is generating massive demand for stays on Airbnb along what’s called the path of totality. Airbnb insights show a 300 percent surge in searches for Canadian listings in cities and towns along the path1, and across North America, more than a thousand new Hosts plan to welcome guests for the first time to help meet demand.2
Canadian cities lying in the path of totality are joining other North American destinations gearing up to welcome the influx of sky gazers. Montreal and the Niagara Region have emerged as two of North America’s most booked destinations over the solar eclipse weekend, and for Canadians looking for a road trip to the US, nearby cities like Cleveland, OH, Buffalo, NY, and Stowe, VT, are also on the list.3 Solar eclipse gazers in Montreal are in for a particular treat with this being the first total solar eclipse in Quebec in over 50 years.
Rounding out the most-booked Canadian cities along the path of totality are Hamilton and Kingston, Ontario.
Most Popular North American Cities Along the Path of Totality
- Austin, TX
- Mazatlan, Mexico
- Dallas, TX
- Indianapolis, IN
- Montreal, Canada
- Cleveland, OH
- San Antonio, TX
- Niagara Region, Canada
- Buffalo, NY
- Stowe, VT
Backyards and private space help drive demand, as listings outpace hotels 18 to one
Hosts on Airbnb are helping to drive solar eclipse tourism with listings along the path of totality outnumbering hotels by more than 18 to one in Canada.4 With nearly half of Canada home to listings in areas with no hotels, Airbnb is making it easier for guests to experience the eclipse in more communities and with more amenities travellers might look for when viewing this once-in-a-generation celestial moment.
New data shows that more than 10 percent of guests chose to book with Airbnb for the first time during the solar eclipse5, some likely drawn by the desire to witness the eclipse in a uniquely personal setting, aligning with what guests in Canada were looking for when booking on the platform last year:6
- 78% of guests said amenities like a backyard is important to them
- 56% wanted a private space just for themselves and their group
- 54% wanted a convenient location
- 42% wanted a local event or outdoor experience
Stellar listings along the solar eclipse’s path
Many Airbnb listings along the path offer guests the chance to bask in the eclipse’s shadow for up to 268 seconds of totality—that’s nearly 4.5 minutes of daytime darkness. In Canada, Sherbrooke, Quebec gets the distinction as the city offering the longest duration under totality with 206 seconds, followed by Miramichi, NB and Alberton, PEI. Listings like this charming home on the Miramichi River stand at the pinnacle of eclipse viewing in Canada, offering one of the longest durations under the totality’s shadow in the country.
Fortunately, there are plenty of unique listings like James’ along the path of totality, each equipped with unique amenities like telescopes and observatories designed to elevate any solar eclipse experience to stellar heights. With new Hosts opening their homes across Canada, more than 50 percent of unique accommodations remain available for booking along the path of totality.7
A bright future for spring travel for Canadians
For the rest of spring, a surge in outdoor travel is shaping up to be a bright spot. True to Canada’s roots, new data shows a nearly 25 percent increase in searches for outdoor category listings such as Yurts, Campers, and Camping stay for Canadian travellers8. Eastern Canada dominates spring trending domestic destinations, and when it comes to international travel, Canadians are opting for a mix of sunny tropical destinations and cross-border travel.
Trending Domestic Destinations for Canadian Travellers:
- Sherbrooke, Quebec
- Saint John, New Brunswick
- Quebec City, Quebec
- Mont Tremblant, Quebec
- Sydney, Nova Scotia
Trending International Destinations for Canadian Travellers:
- Noord, Aruba
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
- Buffalo, New York
- San Salvador, El Salvador
All listings included in this article are intended to inspire and illustrate. Airbnb does not endorse or promote these listings or any other accommodations or experiences on the platform.
