15 Apr Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism Shares Preliminary Direct Spend Estimates From Eclipse Weekend Overnight Visitation
The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) has reviewed and calculated the estimated direct spend of Essex County overnight visitation during the total solar eclipse. Initial estimates are valued at more than $2.7 million.
According to Mary Jane Lawrence, chief operating officer at ROOST, “This is a conservative estimate, which shows significant impact from travel to the region to witness the solar eclipse, representing an estimated $2.2 million increase over the same time period last year,” she said.
ROOST has calculated $2,779,434.00 million in estimated direct spend within Essex County during the days immediately leading up to, and immediately after, the eclipse. Overnight visitation was calculated using a 95% occupancy rate at traditional lodging and short term rental properties, at an average daily rate of $258 per night, and an average stay of 2 nights. This estimate also includes in-market activity such as food, attractions, and retail expenditures based on traveler spend information from the 2023 Essex County Leisure Travel Study report.
Lawrence continued, “This estimate does not include day trippers or those who stayed with family or friends, which we know to be a substantial number of visitors. This will be reflected in the county’s sales tax revenue.”
Based on traffic volume, overnight visitation, the number of restaurant patrons, attraction visitors, and viewing location visitors, along with the significant amount of “day-trip” traffic on Monday, the overall number of visitors to the region was significant. Initial reports indicate that the eclipse had a very positive impact on businesses throughout Essex, Franklin, Hamilton counties, and the entire Adirondack region.
Complementing the estimated direct economic impact data, ROOST also takes into account in-person, online and telephone interactions with visitors, along with ticket sales and estimated number of visitors at various eclipse viewing events throughout the Adirondacks. ROOST recorded more than 65,000 sessions on its eclipse-focused website (2024-eclipse.com), over 500,000 views of the online map of viewing locations and designated parking areas, and thousands of in-person visits at the visitors centers throughout the region. ROOST staff members also answered over 700 calls on its helpline, established to answer visitor questions and provide information to those traveling within the region.
Lawrence also explained that preparation and work of many organizations and agencies contributed to the success of eclipse events throughout the region. “The cooperation from all local, county and state governments and agencies contributed greatly to the preparedness and success of the eclipse in the Adirondacks,” she said.
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