BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – A travel agency that brought more than 200 people to Buffalo for the solar eclipse says it's having a hard time finding places to stay for its guests because local hotels have canceled reservations. Stated.
Christopher Donnelly, owner of Sugar Tours, said: “We've been preparing for two years to make this a great event. We could have lost everything at once.” .
Donnelly's company is based in New Jersey. His agency plans to bring 250 people to Buffalo for the total solar eclipse on April 8th.
“All of you in Buffalo are in a total solar eclipse,” he said. “People come from all over the world.”
In preparation for this trip, Donnelly arranged for the travelers to stay at several local hotels. He has signed deals to book more than 100 rooms with both Aloft Buffalo Airport and Hampton Inn & Suites Buffalo Airport in 2022.
In January, as the eclipse approached, Donnelly's team exchanged emails with hotel managers to discuss arrangements such as breakfast accommodation. Everything seemed squared up. Then, a month ago, Donnelly learned that all of his reservations had been cancelled.
Ms Donnelly said she was told by hotel staff over the phone: “We're canceling your contract, so there's no ifs, or buts.”
He said there was no explanation given for the cancellation.
After working with Visit Buffalo Niagara, Sugar Tours Inc. was able to secure hotel rooms elsewhere, but at higher rates.
“Eventually we'll find space to cover three groups, but of course we're currently paying an additional $150 to $200 per room, which my company pays. You end up paying for it because you can't pass it on to your customers,'' he said.
Donnelly said she has lost about $30,000 as a result of this and is considering her legal options.
“It's just bad business. It's sad. Now I have to hire a lawyer and fight them to at least recoup my losses,” he said. “At this point we're hurting and I think we'll end up fighting it in court.”
Sarah Minkiewicz is an Emmy-nominated reporter from Buffalo who has been part of the News 4 team since 2019. Follow Sarah. twitter Click @SarahMinkewicz to see more of her work.
