Back in November 2022, the City Marketing Department issued out a press release informing the community that the city would begin preparing for this once in a lifetime event.
Back then the City Council took action in efforts to prepare for the influx of tourists that will visit Eagle Pass to view the 2024 Solar Eclipse. The solar eclipse will take place on April 8, 2024.
But yet 8 months later and no further public information has been provided as to what is being planned for this extraordinary once in a lifetime event that will be seen directly in our area.
"The City of Eagle Pass has already begun to receive calls regarding the availability of hotels in our area," informed the Marketing Department.
The City of Eagle Pass has been identified as the first City in the United States of America that is directly in the path of the Total Solar Eclipse. Eagle Pass, Texas is within the "path of totality" and is considered as the top site with the best view in the country. The eclipse will last approximately four minutes and twenty-three seconds.
The City of Eagle Pass Economic Development Department in April 2022 informed that they would begin working on a marketing plan in order to showcase the eclipse concurrently with the Friendship Festival festivities.
"The week-long festivities will bring in many visitors and tourists to our area. The City of Eagle Pass looks forward to partner with the public and private sectors in order to maximize the economic impact for all sectors," informed the Marketing Department.
"The City of Eagle Pass would like to plan and prepare accordingly with the influx of visitors that will be coming into our great City. The City of Eagle Pass anticipates that with the influx of visitors, it will increase sales for our private sector businesses," said Mayor Rolando Salinas, Jr.
"The City of Eagle Pass looks forward to the arrival of many tourists that will be making the tip to witness firsthand this epic event. The City vows to capitalize on the economic impact that this event is expected to bring to our community," said Ivan Morua, Interim City Manager. "We would like to thank our Mayor and City Council for pledging their full support with this event."
While many communities across the region are in preparations for this event, it's of great importance that stakeholders in the City and County level get on the ball and move forward with any plans needed for the flow of tourism that they themselves have stated in the past will be coming into our community.
The fact that the construction of new hotels in our community was mentioned in the strategic planning for this event has yet to even begin taking shape as none of the hotels announced for construction have even broken ground yet.