OAD Fellow Samyukta has written a brief article in the African Science Stars magazine on some factors to consider before starting up an astrotourism business. The special edition of the magazine is focused on astrotourism and its potential in Africa.
Astrotourism falls under the OAD’s Flagship on ‘Sustainable, local socio-economic development through Astronomy’. So far, the OAD has supported several projects linked to this theme, including
- Astrostays in India: a community centric initiative that trains rural/remote communities to run homestays that offer stargazing
- Guide Training for tribal students, India and Brazil: education and skills training project that develops disadvantaged students to work part-time as astro guides
- Langkawians guide Malaysians to the stars, Malaysia: adding astrotourism to the skillset of tourist guides on the island of Langkawi
- Astro Tourism Development in Tanzania: development of an accredited astrotourism training course for tour guides at the Open University of Tanzania
- Small corner of the stars, Colombia: initiative for development of local communities in La Tatacoa, a rural town popular for astrotourism
- Astro-tourism with nomadic herders, Mongolia: training nomadic herders on astro-tourism in Khuvsgul province, the forest area of Mongolia
- Beyond the Beach: Foundations for Caribbean Astrotourism, US Virgin Islands: integrate astronomy into tourism endeavors on the island of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands
- Vaudemont – Solar Trail for visually impaired, Italy
If you would like more information about Astrotourism, or resources and support for an Astrotourism business, email info@astro4dev.org.