AirBnB reports record Idaho bookings for upcoming solar eclipse
There’s been lots of speculation about how many visitors Idaho will see for next week’s total solar eclipse, so AirBnB’s figures are of interest. The home-sharing marketplace reports that the eclipse will be the biggest date ever for AirBnB rentals in Idaho, with more than 8,300 guest arrivals booked, including 4,650 within the path of totality. That’s an increase of 450 percent from the previous week; notably, 68 percent of hosts who have booked AirBnB lodgings for the eclipse in Idaho are hosting for the first time.
The average nightly per-room rate for those in the path of totality in Idaho is $314. Hosts keep 97 percent of what they charge, and those renting within the path in Idaho will earn $1 million that night, AirBnB reports.
The path of the eclipse cuts a diagonal swath across the country; AirBnB reports that its top state for eclipse bookings is Tennessee, followed by South Carolina and Oregon, but Idaho’s in fourth place.
AirBnB entered into an agreement with the state of Idaho last year to collect and remit applicable taxes on its rentals in the state.
The top four Idaho cities for AirBnB bookings aren’t necessarily known as big tourist meccas; they’re all in southeastern Idaho. They are: Rexburg, with 1,120 guest arrivals booked; Idaho Falls, 739; Victor, 615; and Rigby, 669.
AirBnB reports that nationwide, it’s booked 40,000 guest arrivals within the path of totality, including guests from 26 states and 26 countries.