In an unforeseen turn of events, a travel agency bringing over 200 people to Buffalo for the highly anticipated total solar eclipse is left scrambling after their reservation at a local hotel was abruptly canceled. Christopher Donnelly, owner of Sugar Tours Inc., expressed his frustration, stating that this sudden cancellation could jeopardize the meticulously planned event that his company had been preparing for over the past two years.

Donnelly's agency, based in New Jersey, had arranged for 250 people to travel to Buffalo on April 8 to witness the magnificence of the total solar eclipse. Buffalo was chosen as the destination as it falls within the path of totality, attracting visitors from all corners of the world.

To ensure a seamless experience for his clients, Donnelly had reserved more than 100 rooms at both the Aloft Buffalo Airport and Hampton Inn and Suites Buffalo Airport in 2022. As the date of the eclipse approached, Donnelly's team engaged in frequent communication with the hotel management to finalize logistics, including breakfast arrangements. Everything appeared to be in order until a month ago, when the shocking news of the cancellations reached Donnelly.

Without any prior explanation, Donnelly received a phone call from a hotel staff member who stated that their contracts were being canceled without any room for negotiation. Faced with an unexpected challenge, Donnelly was forced to seek alternative accommodations for his guests with the assistance of Visit Buffalo Niagara. However, securing rooms elsewhere came at a significantly higher cost, resulting in an estimated loss of approximately $30,000 for Sugar Tours Inc.

Expressing his disappointment, Donnelly criticized the hotel's actions as "bad business" and expressed his intentions to explore legal options to recoup the losses incurred. He emphasized that his company would bear the burden of the increased room rates rather than passing it on to his clients.

The sudden cancellation has left Donnelly and his team with no choice but to invest further resources in resolving the matter, potentially leading to legal proceedings. Meanwhile, the travelers who had eagerly anticipated experiencing the total solar eclipse in Buffalo may face some uncertainty until suitable accommodations are secured.