Impact of Our Astrotourism Projects
The IAU has invested around 111,000 Euros in astrotourism projects across 14 countries through the OAD annual call for proposals. Projects have conducted diverse actions including, but not limited to,
- Training – young people trained to become astronomy entrepreneurs, certified tour guides trained to add astronomy to their portfolio
- Integration with heritage tourism – foundational work to integrate astronomy in existing tourism initiatives
- Course development – creation of an astrotourism curriculum at a university
- Scientific tourism route – development of a multi-country science tourism route including various points of astronomical interest
Summary of outcomes
- Job creation and employment opportunities
- 5 observatories partnered with astroguides to bring tourists to the facilities, Malaysia
- $5200 revenue generated from astrotourism, India
- Expanded tourism offerings
- 4 tour companies and 3 5-star resorts introduced astrotourism packages, Malaysia
- Collaborations established with 5 resorts for astrotourism packages, India
- 680 travellers engaged in astronomy and local culture, India
- Education and training
- 30 village women and 7 disabled persons trained to be astroguides, India
- 2 tourism institute/organization introducing astronomy education and tourism syllabus as part of tourism certificate, Malaysia
- 17 students from tribal communities trained as astroguides demonstrating increased scientific vocabulary and improved presentation and communication skills, India
- 72 mentors from 14 countries supporting trained astroguides, India
- Increased student engagement in science, Colombia
- Foundation Certificate Course for Astrotourism developed, Tanzania
- Supporting local economy
- 1 astronomy observatory partnered with a local farmers market to host farmers at the observatory to sell goods, US Virgin Islands
- Ecotourism
- Adoption of astrotourism by 3 city councils, Malaysia
- Development of 2 astroparks in progress, Malaysia