Saturday, April 13, 2024

Governor Hochul Announces Record Tourism Numbers During April 8 Total Solar Eclipse

Governor Hochul takes in solar eclipse festivities. 

From April 6 to April 9, Nearly One Million Visitors Came to New York State Parks – A 45 Percent Increase in Attendance Compared to 2023

New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority Facilities Hosted Special Viewing Events, Welcoming More Than 10,000 Visitors

New York State Thruway Authority and New York State Department of Transportation Recorded Significant Increases in Vehicle Travel

On April 7 and April 8, New York Power Authority Provided Nearly Double the Charging Miles for Electric Vehicles When Compared to the Previous Week

Governor Hochul Visited Niagara Falls State Park to Experience the Total Solar Eclipse;

Governor Kathy Hochul announced record-setting tourism numbers in New York from April 6 to April 9 as visitors arrived for the total solar eclipse. Nearly one million people visited New York State Parks from April 6 to April 9 – an increase of 45 percent compared to last year. The New York State Thruway Authority and New York State Department of Transportation recorded significant increases in vehicle travel, and the New York Power Authority provided nearly double the charging miles for electric vehicles when compared to the previous week. Governor Hochul was one of 45,000 visitors who experienced Monday’s celestial event at Niagara Falls State Park.

“From majestic Niagara Falls to the mighty Adirondacks, New York was one of the best places on earth to witness this once-in-a-generation celestial event,” Governor Hochul said. “We planned for more than a year to welcome a record number of visitors during the total solar eclipse, and those preparations helped this event go off safely and successfully.”

In October 2022, Governor Hochul convened an Interagency Task Force comprised of nearly two dozen state agencies and authorities to prepare to welcome the influx of visitors the state expected for this once-in-a-generation event. New York State agencies involved in the Interagency Task Force reported record services provided to residents and travelers.

New York State Parks

From April 6 to April 9, nearly one million visitors showed up to New York State Parks to witness and celebrate the total solar eclipse, an increase in attendance of more than 45 percent compared to the same days in 2023. On April 8 alone, New York State Parks welcomed more than 326,500 visitors, an over 52 percent jump in attendance compared to last year. 12 state parks reached full capacity on April 8:

  • Cayuga Lake (Seneca County)
  • Chimney Bluffs (Wayne County)
  • Crown Point (Essex County)
  • Cumberland Bay (Clinton County)
  • Fair Haven State Park (Cayuga County)
  • John Brown Farm (Essex County)
  • Point Au Roche (Clinton County)
  • Robert Whele (Jefferson County)
  • Selkirk (Oswego County)
  • Seneca Lake (Seneca County)
  • Southwick Beach (Jefferson County)
  • Stony Brook State Park (Steuben County)

Governor Hochul opened campgrounds at State Parks within the path of totality early to accommodate visitors for the total solar eclipse, which were 100 percent booked the night of April 7 and 93 percent booked the night of April 8. To welcome visitors, New York State Parks and Historic Sites hosted numerous eclipse-viewing gatherings on April 8. Additionally, scientists, subject matter experts and astronauts from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) provided programming and exhibits at Niagara Falls State Park through April 8.

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