Afrigather The Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, introduced that, as a part of its general tourism development technique, the Division will place extra emphasis on astro-tourism, significantly within the Western Cape. The nationwide technique goals to place South Africa as a prime vacation spot for astro-tourism.
What’s astro-tourism?
The United Nations Workplace for Outer Area Affairs (UNOOSA) defines astro-tourism (brief for astronomy-tourism) as a sustainable and accountable type of tourism that mixes evening sky commentary, outreach, and leisure actions associated to astronomy.
Darkish skies which might be free of sunshine air pollution and in addition synthetic mild sources are the very best stargazing websites.
Whereas some websites in South Africa are well-known for stargazing, there are others that extra individuals are but to discover.
South Africa’s astro-tourism technique
The South Africa Division of Tourism, in collaboration with the Division of Science and Innovation (DSI), launched South Africa’s astro-tourism technique at this 12 months’s Nationwide Tourism Day celebration on 27 September 2024, as reported by Area in Africa.
“This technique goals to place South Africa as a world-class astro-tourism vacation spot, specializing in infrastructure improvement, optimum functioning of astro-tourism streams and neighborhood transformation.”
Patricia de Lille, Minister of Tourism
Western Cape wants extra publicity
Two widespread astro-tourism websites in South Africa are the MeerKAT website outdoors Carnarvon and the South African Astronomical Observatory in Sutherland. These are each within the Northern Cape.
Nevertheless, the Western Cape additionally has a number of websites which might be prime spots for star gazing.
Now Media reported that Monika Luel, Chief Tourism Officer at Wesgro, acknowledged that astro-tourism has been gaining international recognition as a singular type of tourism.
Luel identified that the Cape West Coast and Cape Karoo are areas that supply glorious darkish skies experiences. Cities in these areas which have already positioned themselves as astro-tourism locations embrace Prince Albert, the Cederberg, and Matjiesfontein.
Large plans for Matjiesfontein
Matjiesfontein, a small city within the Karoo, will home NASA’s new lunar communication facility. It’s being in-built partnership with the South African Nationwide Area Company.
Markedly, this facility may have deep house exploration as a main focus. This website may have subtle know-how designed for communication with satellites, probes, rockets, and in addition terrestrial planets.
How will this technique increase the economic system?
The initiative comes because the tourism sector is more and more important in South Africa’s economic system. Markedly, within the first quarter of 2024, the sector contributed 8.8% to the nation’s Gross Home Product (GDP), surpassing contributions from the transport, mining, and agriculture sectors. The tourism trade is projected to develop, doubtlessly contributing 10.4% to GDP by 2030.
A improvement just like the one in Matjiesfontein holds vital advantages for the tourism trade.
The Cape City and Western Cape Tourism, Commerce, and Funding Promotion Company (Wesgro) is supporting the expansion of astro-tourism by advertising and marketing initiatives.
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