Eclipse economic impact summary

Though nearly four months past, the total eclipse across Wyoming and the country is still being talked about and likely will be for months to come.

The Wyoming Office of Tourism recently released the 2017 Eclipse Economic Impact Study Summary of Findings, and according to the report, Hot Springs County saw 2,000 visitors staying at hotels and motels, 3,900 who were camping, 1,200 staying at private homes with friends or relatives and 800 that made other arrangements.

There were a total 7,800 overnight visitors and 800 day visitors, for a total 8,500, according to the report. Visitor spending by type of accommodation was: $270 for hotel/motel, $290 for camping, $60 for private homes and $110 for others. The total $720 for overnight visitors and $40 for day visitors.

It should be noted that, due to rounding, numbers may not add up precisely to the totals.

As for eclipse-related tax receipts and earnings for the county, spending was $760,000 and earnings were $140,000.

Also according to the report, a total of 261,100 people traveled in Wyoming for the solar eclipse. A total of $63.5 million in travel expenditures — including travel, lodging, meals and shopping — was spent in Wyoming during a five-day period due to the 2017 solar eclipse.

Local tax revenues garnered from eclipse-related spending resulted in $2.3 million for Wyoming's state government and $1.4 million for local governments. Media coverage of the eclipse in Wyoming provided an estimated editorial value of $6.77 million. Nearly 44 percent of respondents indicated that they would come back to Wyoming in the next two years

An estimated 29,000 international travelers came to Wyoming to view the eclipse.

A copy of the impact study is available online travelwyoming.com/research/eclipse