European hotels see record profits from solar eclipse despite wildfire risks

European hotel rates have skyrocketed amid a surge in tourists eager to catch the continent's inaugural total solar eclipse of the century. Reykjavik, Iceland, has experienced a significant hike in hotel prices, with visitors paying an average of $793 per night, a staggering 98% rise compared to last year's dates. Spain, deemed one of the prime locations in Europe to observe the celestial event, anticipates a substantial influx of 460,000 foreign tourists.

The average room rate in La Coruña, northern Spain, has surged 135% to $451, while Mallorca has seen a 24% increase to $448. In Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao, hotel prices have climbed by 34% and 67% respectively. In rural areas along the eclipse's path, temporary observatories and pre-booked accommodation cater to eager visitors.

However, Spanish authorities are on high alert due to heightened wildfire risks. With police expecting 1.5 million additional car journeys and concerns over extreme drought and high temperatures, Spanish officials have warned that a minor spark could ignite devastating wildfires. To mitigate risks, authorities have launched a comprehensive security and safety campaign, deploying 35,000 officers to oversee the event.

Spaniards have banned roadside parking and prohibited barbecues and fireworks in affected regions. Three major wildfires are currently burning in Huelva, Segovia, and Huesca provinces, having already razed 200,000 hectares in Spain this year—six times the area burned by this time in 2025. For those unable to attend the event in person, NASA has set up four telescopes in Villalibado, a small village in the northwestern corner of Spain, to stream the eclipse to over 10 million viewers worldwide.