This does indeed reduce the apocalyptical aspects. But it is still a very small space, and don't forget that most of this surface is unavailable because of buildings, forests, trees, and agriculture. The transportation argument still stands. I totally disagree. Think of the Hubble and VLT pictures.
Astronomy is beautiful.
The same goes for space travel, which is often confused by common people with 'real' astronomy. I don't have to remind you that a solar eclipse is a very photogenic scene, and viewable to the naked eye, unlike such beauties as the horsehead nebula, the 'Fingers of Creation' or the Deep Field views. Secondly, the eclipse will fall in the summer holiday. Many people will plan their vacation around the eclipse, just for fun. You don't have to be interested in astronomy to be interested in an eclipse.