Astrotourism

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Astrotourism is travel to view the night sky and experience celestial events such as eclipses. [1] A closely related concept is dark sky tourism, which involves travel to places with little light pollution. [1] The practice gained popularity following the 2024 total solar eclipse over North America. [2] [3]

Contents

Dark Sky Places

According to DarkSky International, over 220 sites have been designated as International Dark Sky Places. [1]

Sectors

Northern lights tourism is one of the more popular sectors, accounting for US$834.5 million in 2023. [2] Eclipse tourism interest increased after the 2017 and 2024 solar eclipses, with interest increasing in travelling to view the 2026 solar eclipse in Iceland and 2027 solar eclipse in Egypt. [2] [4] [5]

Sustainability and ethical concerns

As astrotourism, and in particular dark sky tourism, gained popularity, academics and advocates of dark sky preserves have expressed concern that such tourism may threaten an area's capability of avoiding increased light pollution. [1] [6] [7]

Moab, Utah, created ordinances to reduce light pollution as dark sky tourism increased in the area. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Principles of Responsible Astrotourism". DarkSky International . 2024-10-08. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  2. 1 2 3 Hineman, Brinley (18 February 2025). "Travelers are over the moon for astrotourism". Travel Weekly . Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  3. ↑ Jones, Portia (12 December 2024). "Starlight, star bright: The rise of astrotourism is drawing travellers to the dark skies of Africa". Euronews . Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  4. ↑ Brooklyn, Cassandra (2025-08-03). "2024 will be huge for astrotourism—here's how to plan your trip". National Geographic . Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  5. ↑ Sherburne, Morgan (2018-08-13). "A record number of Americans watched the 2017 solar eclipse—and sought science afterward". University of Michigan . Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  6. ↑ Tapada, Alberto; Marques, Carla Susana; Marques, Carlos Peixeira; Costa, Carlos (2021-12-06). "ASTROTOURISM: A LITERATURE REVIEW AND FRAMEWORK FOR FUTURE RESEARCH". ENLIGHTENING TOURISM. A PATHMAKING JOURNAL. 11 (2): 291. doi:10.33776/et.v11i2.5189. ISSN   2174-548X.
  7. ↑ Jacobs, Laeticia; Du Preez, Elizabeth A.; Fairer-Wessels, Felicité (2020-01-02). "To wish upon a star: Exploring Astro Tourism as vehicle for sustainable rural development". Development Southern Africa. 37 (1): 87–104. doi:10.1080/0376835X.2019.1609908. ISSN   0376-835X.
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