MONTPELIER – The Department of Tourism and Marketing has unveiled the results of two studies examining the economic impact of the total solar eclipse on April 8. Researchers found the eclipse generated $34.8M in visitor spending, a welcome boost during the slowest month for tourism, but less than 10% of visitor spending during Vermont’s fall foliage season.
“It’s great to see the economic boost businesses across Vermont saw as a result of the total solar eclipse,” said Governor Phil Scott. “It’s also a good reminder how important fall foliage tourism is to our economy.”
The study estimates the eclipse brought an additional 175,000 visitors to Vermont who spent $34.8M during their stay, contributing $2.6M in sales and meals and rooms taxes to state and local coffers. The estimated total economic impact is $54M.
Out-of-state credit card holders visiting Vermont for the eclipse found 80% were from the Northeast (mostly New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire) and 59% visited for just one day. The study also found 71% more visitors were in Vermont on April 8, than the average Fall peak day, but again, they didn’t stay long. Most eclipse visitors came just for the eclipse and left that day. Fall foliage visitors stay longer and spend more overall. Vermont estimates 2.5 million visitors spend approximately $500 million annually during the entire fall foliage season.
The studies can be found online at the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing website.
