Hotel bookings in a town in New Zealand are running out two years in advance for the total solar eclipse on July 22, 2028.

The city of Dunedin in New Zealand is intensively preparing for the first total solar eclipse visible in the region in over 850 years, scheduled for July 22, 2028.

At 4:17 PM, the Moon will cover the Sun, creating a shadow band of 100 kilometers, which will bring total darkness for 2 minutes and 51 seconds. Although the event is two years away, hotels in the area, such as Dunedin Leisure Lodge, have started to receive bookings, and spots for the eclipse package have quickly sold out.

Dr. Ian Griffin, an astronomer and director of the Otago Museum, emphasized the significance of this moment, noting that the last total eclipse visible from Dunedin was in 1163.

Local authorities estimate that approximately 35,000 visitors will come to the city, which has a population of 130,000. The eclipse will coincide with the Matariki celebration, marking the Māori New Year, and will be celebrated with a festival dedicated to this rare phenomenon. Mayor Sophie Barker expressed the community's excitement for this unique event.