logo
Spain's 2026 Solar Eclipse Sparks Tourism Rush

Spain's 2026 Solar Eclipse Sparks Tourism Rush

Skifta day ago
In less than a year, Spain will become a prime viewing spot for a total solar eclipse, continental Europe's first since 1999. The date for travel companies to prepare for: August 12, 2026.
The eclipse is set to trace a path of totality across 40% of Spain, as well as parts of Greenland, Iceland, Russia, and Portugal. The peak moment will last for approximately one minute and 40 seconds along its center line.
For tour operators, the math is compelling: limited viewing zones, limited accommodation, and potentially millions of eclipse tourists equal premium pricing power, as the U.S. saw during a 2024 total solar eclipse.
Steve Ridgway, president of educational tour operator Criterion Travel, has spent more than a year scouting for unobstructed western views in northwestern Spain for what could be one of the most lucrative tourist events in Europe next year.
'The ideal viewing site must be directly on, or very near to, the center line of the e
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Camino de Santiago pilgrims voice shock as devastating Spanish wildfires force route closure
Camino de Santiago pilgrims voice shock as devastating Spanish wildfires force route closure

Yahoo

time4 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Camino de Santiago pilgrims voice shock as devastating Spanish wildfires force route closure

Spain's worst wave of wildfires in at least two decades spread to the southern slopes of the Picos de Europa mountain range on Monday and prompted authorities to close part of the popular Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. 'This is a fire situation we haven't experienced in 20 years,' Defence Minister Margarita Robles told Cadena SER radio. 'The fires have special characteristics as a result of climate change and this huge heat wave,' spanning 16 days, she added, referring to one of the longest heatwaves in the past 50 years that sent temperatures up to 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) over the weekend. It is expected to start easing on Monday evening or Tuesday. Southern Europe is experiencing one of its worst wildfire seasons in two decades, with Spain and neighbouring Portugal among the hardest-hit countries. So far this year, an estimated 344,400 hectares (851,031 acres) have been burned in Spain, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) - the largest area on its records that go back to 2006 and more than four times the 2006-2024 average. Ms Robles said thick smoke was hampering the work of waterbombing aircraft. The Spanish army has deployed 1,900 troops to help firefighters. In the past week alone, about 20 wildfires have devastated thousands of hectares in the regions of Galicia and Castile and Leon, forcing authorities to cut rail services in the area, as well as a 50-km (31-mile) stretch of the Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrimage path trodden by thousands in the summer. It links France and the city of Santiago de Compostela on the western tip of Spain, where the remains of the apostle St James are said to be buried. Patrice Lepettre, a 75-year-old pilgrim in Astorga, told Reuters the inconvenience for hikers was temporary and could not be compared to the locals' plight. 'It's a terrible thing for the population. The pilgrims can go back home and come another year to finish the Camino, but for the people who live here, it's a terrible thing,' he said. A firefighter died when his truck crashed near the village of Espinoso de Compludo, raising the death toll to four. Leaders of regions run by the main opposition People's Party (PP) have criticised the central government for poor planning and asked for more resources to fight the wildfires. Ms Robles said all the means available had been deployed. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Sunday urged a 'State Pact' on climate change with all main political forces, which was dismissed as a 'diversion' by PP spokesperson Ester Munoz on Monday. The Interior ministry said 27 people have been arrested and 92 were under investigation for suspected arson since June. In Portugal, wildfires have burnt about 216,200 hectares so far this year, according to EFFIS - more than four times the 2006-2024 average for this period - and two people have died.

Which flight routes are the most popular in the world?
Which flight routes are the most popular in the world?

CNN

time9 hours ago

  • CNN

Which flight routes are the most popular in the world?

Which flight routes are the most popular in the world? The busiest flight routes in the world are all domestic flights, from New York-Los Angeles in the US to Barcelona-Mallorca in Spain. CNN's Lilit Marcus breaks down why the busiest air route on the planet brings so many people to this Asian holiday island. 00:43 - Source: CNN Vertical Trending Now 11 videos Which flight routes are the most popular in the world? The busiest flight routes in the world are all domestic flights, from New York-Los Angeles in the US to Barcelona-Mallorca in Spain. CNN's Lilit Marcus breaks down why the busiest air route on the planet brings so many people to this Asian holiday island. 00:43 - Source: CNN Nationwide demonstrations across Israel demanding hostage deal A planned nationwide strike in Israel on Sunday saw hundreds of thousands take part to call on the government to bring the remaining hostages in Gaza home. CNN's Oren Liebermann reports from Tel Aviv. 01:23 - Source: CNN Zines not hashtags: Gen-Z's new protest playbook Gen-Z activists are rethinking protest tools. Opting to go offline over concerns of misinformation and surveillance, zines offer another way to organize. For the latest "The Assignment" podcast episode, CNN's Audie Cornish speaks with artist and organizer Kennedy McDaniel about what's prompting the shift from hashtag activism. 01:51 - Source: CNN Canadian government orders end to Air Canada strike After more than 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants went on strike seeking wage increases and paid compensation for work when planes are on the ground, the Canada Industrial Relations Board has ordered them to return to work according to an announcement by Canadian Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu. 01:05 - Source: CNN Spike Lee's Reaction to Trump's Smithsonian Orders 'To roll back the clock' says Director Spike Lee to CNN's Victor Blackwell in response to President Donald Trump's Smithsonian orders. 01:14 - Source: CNN Russian media reacts positively to Trump-Putin Summit Russian state TV gave a positive coverage of the outcome of the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska, celebrating the handshake between the two leaders. Russian officials also stated that the meeting resulted in progress on sanctions and opened up room for future negotiations. CNN's Fred Pleitgen reports. 01:23 - Source: CNN London's toxic trash 'volcano' Arnolds Field landfill on Launders Lane in east London is better known to locals as the 'Rainham volcano.' The site was used as an illegal dump for years and now, every summer, it bursts into flames, sending plumes of acrid smoke over nearby homes, parks and schools. CNN's Laura Paddison speaks to residents who feel abandoned and trapped. 02:05 - Source: CNN Hong Kong twin pandas turn one Giant panda twins Jia Jia and De De celebrated their first birthdays in Hong Kong on Friday. The cubs were born last August to Ying Ying, who became the oldest giant panda on record to give birth. 00:43 - Source: CNN Football player's emotional press conference sparks conversation University of Nebraska freshman punter, Archie Wilson, left his home in Australia to play for the Cornhuskers. During a press conference, a reporter asked Wilson how he was doing being so far away from his family and his emotional reaction sparked a conversation around masculinity. Writer and philosopher Ryan Holiday joined CNN's Boris Sanchez to discuss. 01:29 - Source: CNN McDonald's Japan causes Pokémon food waste frenzy Piles of untouched Happy Meals littered sidewalks outside McDonald's restaurants in Japan over the weekend, as frenzied customers scrambled to buy limited-edition sets with Pokémon cards. CNN International Correspondent Hanako Montgomery has the story. 00:55 - Source: CNN Taylor Swift unveils album details on boyfriend Travis Kelce's podcast Taylor Swift announced her 12th studio album 'The Life of a Showgirl' will be released on October 3rd. Swift made an appearance on the podcast 'New Heights,' hosted by her boyfriend Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce where they discussed the album 00:48 - Source: CNN

Spain's 2026 Solar Eclipse Sparks Tourism Rush
Spain's 2026 Solar Eclipse Sparks Tourism Rush

Skift

timea day ago

  • Skift

Spain's 2026 Solar Eclipse Sparks Tourism Rush

In less than a year, Spain will become a prime viewing spot for a total solar eclipse, continental Europe's first since 1999. The date for travel companies to prepare for: August 12, 2026. The eclipse is set to trace a path of totality across 40% of Spain, as well as parts of Greenland, Iceland, Russia, and Portugal. The peak moment will last for approximately one minute and 40 seconds along its center line. For tour operators, the math is compelling: limited viewing zones, limited accommodation, and potentially millions of eclipse tourists equal premium pricing power, as the U.S. saw during a 2024 total solar eclipse. Steve Ridgway, president of educational tour operator Criterion Travel, has spent more than a year scouting for unobstructed western views in northwestern Spain for what could be one of the most lucrative tourist events in Europe next year. 'The ideal viewing site must be directly on, or very near to, the center line of the e

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store