TheSkySearchers

The 2024 total solar eclipse passes directly through my town of Plattsburgh NY as it does of course through many other places.
Not much happens up here in the grand scheme of things but I would like to promote our town for this event.
My dilemma is : should I notify the local hotels/motels/camp sites that there might be an influx of eclipse watchers (if they don't know already, which I suspect they don't) and risk them jacking up their rates? It's before Memorial day so well before prime time.
Or should I just leave it well enough alone and let the booking enquiries alert them for the same result? I would not like to see visitors milling around looking for unavailable rooms or camp plots.
Did anyone see similar effects at the 2017 eclipse as regards motel/hotel availability?

My brother-in-law lives in Plattsburgh. Small town, you guys probably know each other.
You don't need to bother letting them know. Within a year or two of the eclipse, any town in the path will be well aware of its coming.
I booked a motel in Rigby, ID for the August 2017 eclipse 2 years out and they already knew about it.
Plattsburgh, while in the path, is a very small and remote location so while there will be an influx of travelers, it's not like Waco or Dallas, TX or Indianapolis, IN or Cleveland, OH.
People tend to flock to the major cities first.
It is nice though that you'll be smack on the centerline of the event.

Personally, I'll be in Conway, AR with my good friend Dr. Clay Sherrod.

Another thing to consider is the weather. People tend to head to the areas with the highest likelihood of clear weather.
That and timings. Plattsburgh, although on the centerline, will only have 3min32sec of totality. Waco, TX, or just outside of Waco on the centerline will have 4min24sec.
The hardcore eclipse chasers go with these two factors.

I had to drive about an hour south to see it.
Everyone (TV) said the roads would be grid locked, nope.
That said everyone left the little park at the Exact Same Time, so they sat in traffic like a sporting event.

The hotels will learn of the eclipse, I wouldn't say anything IMHO.

I'd stay on the QT as well. I'm sure hotel operators will hear about it well in advance.

i plan to go to mexico on the west coast.
and at the same time it is our wedding anniversary.
I really can't wait to see this magnificent spectacle.

messier 111 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 12, 2021 1:16 pm i plan to go to mexico on the west coast.
and at the same time it is our wedding anniversary.
I really can't wait to see this magnificent spectacle.

Wow, that's awesome wish you and yours a beautiful anniversary!!

Closest possibility for me would be Northwest Ohio. April weather near the Great Lakes is iffy at best.