Susan Serven

What is meant by dark sky tourism and eco-tourism?

Good question!

I had the same one in 2023 when I started with DarkSky International, a nonprofit organization that focuses on restoring our planet’s nighttime environment and to protect communities and wildlife around the world from light pollution. Learn more from writer and dark sky specialist, Jamie Carter of Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/ 

Dark sky tourism is a form of tourism focused on visiting locations with minimal light pollution to experience and appreciate the natural beauty of the night sky, offering opportunities for stargazing, astrophotography, and nocturnal wildlife viewing.

This sustainable practice supports the preservation of dark skies by promoting responsible lighting, which also helps protect wildlife and local ecosystems.

Eco-tourism is a form of tourism focused on traveling responsibly and sustainably to natural areas in a way that minimizes negative environmental impact, supports local communities, and promotes conservation. It emphasizes responsible travel practices, aiming to preserve the integrity of the environment and benefit local populations.

Dark sky tourism is an aspect and driver of eco-tourism.

(The term regenerative tourism goes a step further – it is meant to actively improve the host destination's environment, culture, and economy, aiming to leave places better than before by creating net-positive effects through activities like ecosystem restoration, active support for local economies and cultures, and deeper connections between travelers, communities, and nature.)

Benefits of dark sky tourism

Light pollution not only blocks our view of the stars, it affects biodiversity, human health, climate change, and wildlife, including insects, and has negative economic impacts as well.

During my time at DarkSky I quickly learned not only about the negative impacts of light pollution, but also about the positive and growing trend of dark sky tourism (also known as astro tourism) and how it can benefit local communities around the globe.

People are realizing that dark sky tourism is important for many reasons but one key benefit is to help expand the idea of protecting our starry skies for future generations.

Many ancient cultures have celebrated the night skies for millennia, and we are now seeing a resurgence of people wanting to connect with the vast and starry cosmos our ancestors experienced.

Another key reason dark sky tourism is beneficial is in its ability to highlight dark sky areas around the world, generating revenue which helps local communities and which can also be instrumental in bringing in foreign direct investment to areas which are implementing sustainable practices.

Viewing our starry night sky has connected humanity throughout the ages and allowed us to form a deep connection with the cosmos.

Actively participating in dark sky tourism as a part of eco-tourism aims to restore, protect and often revitalize natural resources, local cultures and local economies, fostering symbiotic relationships between travelers and the places they visit.

And you get to gaze up at our world’s deepest starry skies, make new friends and often learn about ancient cultures, along the way.