Small towns prepare for huge influx of tourists for eclipse 

The eclipse that will be visible around Catalonia on August 12 will bring many visitors to the small towns with the best views in the west and south of the territory. 

In La Granja d'Escarp, for example, the sun will be completely covered for over a minute, one of the longest total eclipse times of all towns in western Catalonia. 

The town has a population of approximately 1,000, and expects a large influx of visitors for the once-in-a-lifetime event. Mayor Manel Solé sees the event as an "excellent opportunity" to publicize the natural heritage of the region. 

However, the unique landscape does include dangers accessing certain vantage points that tourists are unaware of. 

Solé explains that many roads aren't in the best condition for all vehicles and any breakdown or trapped vehicle could block roads and pose a serious risk if security forces need to intervene during the day. 

Alternative safer options are being offered by the local councils of La Granja d'Escarp and Seròs.

They will organize a guided outing for about 40 people to see the eclipse in the area of Les Vallettes de Ramiro on a high vantage point of the eclipse. 

Another small town, La Pobla de Cérvoles, with a population of 208 inhabitants, is preparing to host visitors in a unique way, offering a winery view. 

The Mas Blanch i Jové winery, located at an altitude of almost 700 meters, will allow visitors to observe the eclipse from a prime location with a tasting of organic wines to celebrate the event. 

Tarragona

Among the 20 municipalities marked as eclipse observation points in the southern Tarragona province is Santa Bàrbara, where the preparations are extensive. 

More than 4,500 people are expected to arrive, exceeding the already 3,900 people that reside in the city. 

Mayor, Josep Lluís Gimeno, is hoping the event will be an opportunity to demonstrate the potential tourist destination of the Terres de l'Ebre. 

He envisions turning the visitors and eclipse hunters into "the best ambassadors."

"We know how to do things well, and we want to be a benchmark on the day of the eclipse. We want people to see that life is good here, that the people are very friendly, and they'll want to come back. We hope it becomes a springboard for people to visit again, or even come and live here in the Terres de l'Ebre," he said.

The Ebre Delta also provides beautiful views of the eclipse, specifically Poble Nou del Delta village, with a total population of 190. 

The mayor of the town, Josep Sancho, is aware of the promotion the eclipse will bring to the town, and explains that the town "will do what we do all year round, which is share our natural spaces and the best places we have that are open to everyone and free of charge."

Reservations around the town have been long sold out. 

Competition to attract tourism

In the aim of attracting visitors before and after August 12’s astronomical event, the Poble Nou del Delta has set up a creative competition to win the best view for the eclipse. 

Participating restaurants will draw names of people who enjoy a meal at their establishments, those whose names are drawn get the best views for the eclipse. 

Two winners of the competition will be able to watch the eclipse on the bell tower overlooking the Alfacs bay, the Encanyissa lagoon, the rice fields and the Ports massif. 

Another eight will be able to win a view of the eclipse on the roof of the municipal offices. 

The local government has prepared accordingly for an undetermined number of visitors in the small town, urging "all hotels and businesses to have the foresight to ensure that everyone who comes here can, at least, have a sandwich and a drink." 

Along with that, Poble Nou del Delta will set up a medical clinic and set up ambulance points in case of high temperature, in line with the trends of this summer. 

Salou, while not officially recommended by the government as a viewpoint, is another town expecting large crowds August 12. 

The phenomenon coinciding with the peak of summer tourism, the City Council has ordered more than 67,000 glasses for those who hope to observe the phenomenon. 

Residents will be able to get one of the 40,000 free glasses given at the Salou Theatre and Auditorium, while visitors can collect one of the 27,000 glasses from the Tourist Board.