It’s called Astro Tourism, and it’s coming to Hamilton County. 

Travel for light-free stargazing, or catching the Northern Lights are predicted top travel trends for 2024. While Hamilton County is short on these experiences, it will be in the path of totality for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse on April 8. 

That’s why Hamilton County Tourism began working in 2022 with Hamilton County Emergency Management, local public safety officials, cities and towns and more than 50 local organizations to prepare for additional visitors who might choose this community to experience this phenomenon. 

It is estimated that between 1 and 4 million people will travel to the path of totality in the United States, according to the Great American Eclipse. Of that total, Indiana could see between up to 500,000 day and overnight visitors, the second highest in the country after Texas. 

As of mid-February, occupancy rates at Hamilton County’s home vacation rentals and hotels had sold about half of their available inventory, although local room pick-up is outpacing Indiana's volume of sales for the same period by about 10 percentage points. For context, during summer months, it’s not unusual to see almost 100 percent of all available accommodations booked. What makes this event unusual is the convergence of potential day visitors, overnight lodging visitors, and those coming to stay with friends or family.

HCT often is asked to estimate the overall economic impact this once-in-a-lifetime event will make. It’s hard to predict, given Indiana is within a one-day drive of 80% of the U.S. population. 

During the 2017 eclipse which did not impact Indiana, an estimated 12.25 million lived inside the path of totality. But, for the 2024 eclipse, 31.6 million people live inside path of totality – almost three times as many. This means fewer people may need to travel. 

But the 2024 eclipse will last significantly longer than in 2017 and the totality and quality of the sun’s “corona” experience are expected to be much greater. And Hamilton County’s creative attractions partners have dreamed up stellar events to experience. 
 
Also, Hamilton County Tourism is managing a digital and social media campaign in target markets that traditionally see the community as a great place to visit and engagement has been quite high.

Whatever the outcome, Hamilton County is well prepared to handle it.

This is a community that comes together to plan.