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DarkSky International’s Principles of Responsible Astrotourism

Camper van parked in a field beneath a starry night sky and Milky Way.
 Credit: iStock

Seeking dark nights: a disappearing resources

Travelers are increasingly discovering the magic of the night. Astrotourism, once a niche pursuit for amateur astronomers and the most devoted campers, has recently become a buzzword in modern travel. Stunning images of glamping tents beneath a vibrant Milky Way are lighting up our Instagram feeds, while “astrotourism” headlines popular travel magazines—Forbes recently hailing it as “The Next Big Thing” and Condé Nast “The Biggest Travel Trend to Expect in 2024.”

Astrotourism is defined as travel centered around experiencing starry skies and celestial events—think stargazing or traveling across the county to experience an eclipse. A closely related growing trend is dark sky tourism, which encompasses a wider range of experiences that also bring people to places with pristine dark nights. These activities range from night safaris and moonlit hikes to travelers seeking dark places to restore their sense of well-being. These forms of tourism invite people to appreciate and experience the night in new ways, and they’re doing so in record numbers.

Under a blanket of stars, thousands gather each year at the Grand Canyon Star Party, eager to explore the cosmos through telescopes, star stories, and other activities. Credit: NPS/J. Olson

With light pollution growing at alarming rates, it’s no wonder people are taking interest in experiencing dark nights, something few of us are privileged to enjoy. A staggering 99% of the world’s population now lives under night skies polluted to some degree by artificial light. Those who live in Europe and North America experience some of the world’s most light-polluted nights, with 90% living in locations where the Milky Way can no longer be seen.

Many people are surprised to learn that the Milky Way isn’t limited to specific locations or ideal conditions, unlike the Northern Lights. In fact, not long ago, the Milky Way graced the night sky from every corner of our planet—a nightly spectacle shared by all. This misconception highlights our growing disconnect from the natural night and what we have lost to artificial light in just a few generations. Ideally, we wouldn’t need to travel to experience such a grounding spectacle, but today we do.

DarkSky International recognizes the important role astrotourism plays in our mission to reduce light pollution. Astrotourism not only builds awareness and appreciation for the nighttime environment but also creates economic incentives for communities to preserve their dark skies. While many of our programs highlight dark sky places, we have always advocated for responsible and ethical practices for anyone promoting or traveling to locations to experience the night.

In 2023 the global northern lights tourism market was estimated at USD 834.5 million. (Grand View Research, 2023)

The risks associated with popularity

We’ve all seen, and maybe even experienced, the negative effects of overtourism, a very real concern for many locations that have surged in popularity from increased attention and visibility. A popular TV show can flood the streets of a medieval town with unprecedented crowds, or cruise ships can tower over a small port city, dramatically changing its character. There are endless examples where increased visitation to unprepared or sensitive areas can quickly overwhelm and rob a place of the very charms that attracted visitors in the first place.

While tourism can bring many benefits, such as supporting and growing local economies, it can also inflict significant harm: degrading natural landscapes and displacing local people and their lifestyles. Destinations can become hollow shells of their former selves—or, in some cases, be rendered entirely unrecognizable. This reality has sparked concern within the DarkSky community as we grapple with a critical question: how do we support a new and rapidly growing astrotourism market that benefits local communities and environments while preserving the very resource it depends upon?

“Astrotourism has the potential to generate significant social, economic, and environmental benefits. We can learn a lot from both successes and challenges in daytime tourism to encourage the growth of the astrotourism industry in a way that both protects the nocturnal environment and encourages sustainable economic development.”

— Samyukta Manikumar, DarkSky Board of Directors

The growing need for guiding principles

DarkSky International recognizes the critical need for comprensive values for those promoting and participating in astrotourism. While DarkSky programs are making significant strides to reduce light pollution around the world, we understand that preserving the night involves more than just reducing light pollution. It requires a holistic approach that respects and upholds the unique values, environment, character, and culture of each location.

Red rock cliffs give way to city lights with the Milky Way overhead.
Cities like Moab, Utah, have adopted ordinances to reduce light pollution, ensuring their skies remain dark even as tourism increases.
 Credit: Bryan Haile

To address this growing need, DarkSky has released guiding principles of responsible astrotourism to assist individuals, communities, and organizations engaged in this burgeoning travel market. These principles were shaped by insights we collected form our network of over 220 International Dark Sky Places, including parks, reserves, sanctuaries, and urban areas.

“There is clear synergy between dark sky conservation and astrotourism—a recent survey of International Dark Sky Places shows that dark sky conservation is leading to astrotourism and astrotourism serves as a strong incentive to protect the dark skies that make astrotourism possible. With the exponential trending of astrotourism in recent years, DarkSky is ideally placed to provide leadership in ensuring that astrotourism activities are carried out in a responsible manner. This will benefit everything and everyone directly or indirectly involved.”

— Nalayini Brito-Davies, Vice President, DarkSky Board of Directors

A multidisciplinary committee—comprising dark sky experts, researchers, astronomers, and tourism professionals—then distilled this feedback into clear, actionable guidelines. Endorsed by the Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD), a joint project of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), these principles aim to reduce light pollution and promote sustainability, ensuring that astrotourism benefits local environments, communities, and the night skies they depend on.

DarkSky International’s Principles of Responsible Astrotourism

  1. Use light responsibly
    Adopt DarkSky’s Responsible Outdoor Light At Night (ROLAN) principles to safeguard the nighttime environment while enhancing visual safety. Ensure outdoor lighting is purposeful, targeted, low-level, controlled, and warm-colored.
  2. Protect the natural environment
    Ensure tourism activities and operations do not disrupt wildlife or the natural environment. With 69% of mammals being nocturnal, many species rely on natural darkness for survival.
  3. Support the well-being of residents
    Consider the needs and activities of local residents, aiming to enhance their experience of the nighttime environment while minimizing any negative impacts on the community.
  4. Honor local and First People cultures
    Respectfully and collaboratively integrate local and First People, their traditions, and their knowledge, where possible, with free, prior, and informed consent, recognizing their cultural significance and ensuring sensitivity in its application.
  5. Adhere to local regulations
    Comply with all relevant local regulations in the areas where you operate, ensuring responsible and legal practices. Support and promote regulations protecting natural darkness, ensuring future generations enjoy the night sky.
  6. Foster sustainable economic growth
    Contribute to the local economy by generating meaningful direct and indirect economic benefits for local people and communities.

Protecting the night for generations to come

DarkSky International aims for these principles to be widely adopted by affiliated organizations and independent astrotourism operators alike.

Astrotourism has the potential to catalyze positive change and reduce light pollution globally, but it must be pursued intentionally, with utmost concern for the natural environment and local communities.

We invite you to download the PDF containing our new guiding principles for responsible astrotourism and encourage you to share them widely. Together, we can inspire people to experience the wonder of dark skies while reclaiming the night and ensuring its protection for current and future generations.

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