Not only stopping at adventurous road trips across the desert or luxury resorts in the middle of the sand, Saudi Arabia is demonstrating its strategic vision and strong investment in the potential astronomical tourism market. By building a unique night sky park, this country is "rolling out the red carpet" to welcome tourists from all over the world, exploiting the maximum advantage of the "gold mine" of space tourism.
Saudi Arabia has vast desert areas with clear blue skies and little light pollution, creating ideal conditions for admiring the magical beauty of the universe. Seizing this advantage, the Saudi Arabian government has been implementing many projects to turn this country into a "paradise" for astronomy lovers.
Along with the US, New Zealand and Germany, Saudi Arabia is now one of 21 other countries named in the list of the world's best night sky destinations.
Sara Sami, a Bahraini photographer and tour guide, recalls the first place she truly saw the stars in their most amazing light. The location was a large cliff overlooking the vast desert, called The Edge of the World - one of the most famous tourist destinations in Saudi Arabia.
Since then, Saudi Arabia has become Sara Sami’s favorite stargazing destination. She drives into the kingdom’s desert dozens of times from her home in Bahrain, a Persian Gulf island nation connected to Saudi Arabia by a 24-kilometer (15-mile) road. Camping under the stars, Sami seeks out undisturbed darkness, far from towns and cities, where she can see the Milky Way.
Sami isn't the only one who enjoys Saudi Arabia's starry skies, according to CNN Travel. Last November, the AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserves, near the ancient oasis city of AlUla, were recognized as the Middle East's first dark sky parks by DarkSky International, an organization that fights light pollution.
Astrotourism is emerging as a potential "phenomenon", not only bringing huge economic benefits but also being a bridge between humans and the vast universe.
Along with the "big guys" such as the US, New Zealand and Germany, Saudi Arabia has just officially entered the list of 21 countries owning "The most beautiful night sky viewing destinations in the world". This is a proud milestone, marking a strong transformation of this Middle Eastern country in exploiting the potential of space tourism, while affirming its commitment to preserving its unique natural beauty.
Gary Fildes, Senior Director of the AlUla Manara Observatory, did not hesitate to express his amazement at the magical beauty of AlUla's night sky. "The night sky in AlUla always leaves visitors in awe," he shared. Indeed, with its special geographical location and ideal climate conditions, AlUla possesses clear blue skies with little light pollution, creating a beautiful cosmic "picture" that makes anyone who sees it admire it.
To preserve this “treasure” of the night sky, the 2,334-square-kilometer (901-square-mile) reserve has implemented a series of strict measures, including meticulous lighting design. The lighting system is equipped with lampshades that direct light downward, rather than upward, to minimize light pollution and protect the “pristine beauty” of the night sky.
Middle Eastern countries invest heavily in developing astrotourism
Saudi Arabia's inclusion in the list of "World's Best Night Sky Destinations" is not only a source of national pride, but also a major boost for the tourism industry. Visitors from all over the world, especially astronomy enthusiasts, will have another ideal option to admire the beauty of the universe.
In recent years, astrotourism has emerged as a “bright star” in the sustainable tourism industry, bringing huge economic benefits. In the US, the National Park Service has recorded significant contributions from astronomy-loving tourists, amounting to billions of dollars, through spending on accommodation, food and observation equipment. Other countries such as India and Australia have also seen significant growth in nighttime tourism, especially during astronomical events such as solar eclipses.
The appeal of astrotourism is not just about admiring the beauty of the night sky. It is also a journey to explore the universe, learn about the wonders of nature and connect with like-minded people.
Astrotourism not only brings unique experiences to tourists but also has huge economic benefits.
DarkSky International, a respected organization dedicated to preserving the dark sky, has established five categories of recognition for areas with low light pollution and policies that preserve darkness. “These are places that are often far from densely populated areas, and where you can see the Milky Way most clearly,” said Dan Oakley, chairman of DarkSky International’s Dark Sky Parks Committee.
Areas recognized by DarkSky International are not only ideal destinations for astronomical tourists, but also "homes" to many wildlife species, biodiversity conservation areas and valuable resources for scientific research activities.
Astrotourism not only brings economic benefits, but also contributes to raising public awareness of the importance of protecting the night sky. Light pollution not only affects astronomical observations, but also causes negative impacts on human health, ecosystems and the living environment.
The development of astrotourism also poses significant challenges. Close coordination between stakeholders, from government, businesses to local communities, is needed to ensure that tourism activities do not cause negative impacts on the environment and culture.
With great potential and practical benefits, astrotourism promises to continue to develop strongly in the future, becoming a new "gold mine" of sustainable tourism.
