Hotels.com Get a Room 2026 Forecast: Searches Sky Rocket 445% for Summer’s Total Solar Eclipse

From championship games and global music tours to once-in-a-lifetime celestial events, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for event-driven travel. According to Hotels.com search data, travelers are already planning trips that will put them front and center for some of the biggest moments of the year.

Solar Eclipse Travel Surge
- Event Date: August 12, 2026
- Search Growth: Hotel searches for destinations in the eclipse’s path have skyrocketed — +445% in Iceland, +55% in Greenland, and +125% in Northern Spain.
- Historical Context: During the 2024 eclipse, hotel searches spiked up to +1000% in cities along the path of totality, with occupancy hitting 85–90% just weeks before the event.
- Advice: Hotels.com recommends booking early with free cancellation to avoid price spikes and limited availability.

Recommended Stays
- Reykjavik, Iceland: Alda Hotel Reykjavik — luxury, VIP access, right in the path of totality.
- Northern Spain: Boutique hotels in cities like San Sebastián and Bilbao are expected to see strong demand.
- Greenland: Limited capacity means early reservations are critical.

Other 2026 Travel Drivers
Hotels.com highlights six major events shaping travel demand this year:
- Pro Football Finale (Feb 8, 2026) — Searches up 395% YoY, average room price $415/night.
- Winter Sports Games (Feb 6–22, 2026) — Milan (+135%) and Cortina d’Ampezzo (+280%) searches rising.
- Route 66 Centennial (May 1–3, 2026) — Nostalgic road trips boosting demand in towns like Springfield (+50%) and San Bernardino (+50%).
- Summer Soccer Tournament (June–Aug 2026) — Searches surged +665% after the draw announcement; LA and Seattle seeing sharp hotel price increases.
- Bad Bunny World Tour (Jan–Jul 2026) — Concert-driven spikes in Buenos Aires (+55%), São Paulo (+80%), Madrid (+45%).

✅ In short: The 2026 total solar eclipse is already driving massive hotel search demand, especially in Iceland, Greenland, and Northern Spain. With past eclipses showing sharp last-minute price hikes, early booking is the safest bet for travelers hoping to witness this rare celestial event.