Some Arkansas hotels charging 10 times normal rates before eclipse
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Those looking for a hotel in Arkansas might experience some sticker shock if they plan a trip the first weekend of April.
The Natural State is expecting a huge influx of visitors for the eclipse on April 8 and hotels in the path of totality are aiming to capitalize on it.
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Jeff Chastain is the Communications Director for the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau and he said he’s been told there is a potential draw of 100,000 or more additional people to the capital city on the day of the eclipse.
“We think this is going to be the biggest tourism event that is going to happen in our history,” Chastain explained. “The biggest question we’re getting right now is are your hotels sold out.”
A quick search online can reveal exactly how much the price differs anywhere in the path of totality. The price change is just one part of “eclipse capitalism” some hotels are using. Certain places won’t even let you get a room unless you commit to staying multiple nights.
Cities and towns across Arkansas are saying they have room for guests, but depending on where you look, the night before the eclipse is either sold out or being sold expensively.
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Calling or looking online, people can find some places charging three, six, or even 10 times what they have listed for the same room a week earlier. For example, OYO Townhouse in Jacksonville is charging $593 for a room on eclipse weekend that can be reserved for $52 this weekend.
Jacksonville Mayor Jeff Elmore is a small business owner himself and said there’s a fine line to walk when capitalizing on a situation like this.
“You’ve got to weigh out both sides of it, what is realistic, what can your conscience live with and what’s too much,” Elmore said.
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The mayor also said in an emergency, the prices he’s seeing would be considered price gouging, but that doesn’t apply since this isn’t an emergency and people are freely choosing to come to the state.
“It’s like Super Bowl prices,” he said with a laugh.
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