Reservations are full in Northeast Arkansas for the weekend before Eclipse

Jonesboro, Arkansas – If you reside in the complete solar eclipse’s path of totality, you have undoubtedly heard about a surge of visitors to the region. Northeast Arkansas has a full complement of hotels and Airbnbs.

The Comfort Inn and Hampton Inn owners in Jonesboro, Atin Suri, stated that reservations for rooms in his establishments have been made for months.
He claimed that had never happened before.

“Some reservations came in as early as November, October of last year,” Suri said. “That’s how excited people are to see the full path of totality here.”

According to Suri, calls have been coming in from all across the country, including Georgia and New York. Airbnb’s communications manager, Jacqueline McGraw, reports that searches for properties in Arkansas had increased by more than 1,000% over the previous year.

“When it comes to specifically Northeast Arkansas, Jonesboro is among the top three most booked cities in the state for Airbnb guests,” McGraw said.

The night before the eclipse, almost 90% of the Airbnb rentals along the path of totality were booked as of Friday.

According to McGraw, an increase in population is beneficial to the local economy.
When Airbnb polled visitors to Arkansas in 2023, the company discovered that each visitor spent about $200 per day.

“That goes directly to local restaurants, local businesses, transportation, and attractions within the state,” McGraw added.

Suri is thrilled about the potential impact on the town of the anticipated weekend population surge.

“The fact that they’re coming into town, especially for this event, makes us feel so proud of what we have to offer and makes me feel proud to live in Jonesboro,” Suri said.