economy
Solar eclipse drives Europe hotel prices to over $1,000 a night
Eclipse demand pushed some Spain and Iceland stays above $1,000 a night, while Iceland hotels cut prices sharply closer to Aug. 12.
TL;DR
- Hotel and short-term rental prices surged in areas of Europe within the path of a total solar eclipse.
- Reykjavik, Iceland, saw hotels reach $1,012 per night and short-term rentals average $1,172 per night during the eclipse week.
- Spanish cities like Bilbao also experienced substantial price increases for short-term rentals.
- While Iceland initially priced rooms speculatively high, prices were significantly discounted closer to August 12.
- Hotels in northern Spain took a reverse approach, raising rates as bookings filled up.
- The eclipse is creating a concentrated, powerful boost in tourism for a few days around the event.
- Short-term rentals in Iceland are seeing demand up 40% from a year earlier within the path of totality.
- The trend is not considered a 'season changer' for hotels or rentals, with climate-driven shifts in vacationing being a more lasting trend.