Today, more than ever, people are interested in environmentally friendly travel. It goes beyond using reusable water bottles or opting out of daily linen changes—83% of people say their preferred destination is a natural area.1 Many tourism directors are also focusing more on responsible practices, including acknowledging all the impacts of tourism and working to minimize the negative effects while maximizing the positive ones.2
For eco-conscious visitors, light pollution is a significant challenge both for enjoying their travels and protecting the natural areas they love. Our ecosystem is complex, and a naturally dark sky is part of it. Dark skies are so important that the Clean Air Act Amendment of 1977 deemed them an air quality-related value. Similar to the way air pollution creates a haze and diminishes the brightness of stars, light from populated areas can make it harder to see the night sky.3 Glaring artificial lighting can take away the wilderness value that many eco-conscious guests seek in nature.
Artificial sky glow affects far more than humans. Half of all animals are nocturnal, and artificial light in natural areas can change their migration patterns, hunting habits, safety, and mating behaviors.3 Research has also suggested that bright lighting is causing an accelerated decline in the biodiversity of insects.4
As light pollution grows at about two percent every year—twice as fast as the human population—destinations have the opportunity to make a difference while also attracting more eco-conscious visitors.5
Developing stargazing experiences in your community can help attract travelers who value the outdoors and are more likely to be responsible while visiting.
These experiences connect people to the wonders of the universe by giving them guided ways to enjoy the night sky. One effective strategy DestinationiQ has implemented with clients just beginning their stargazing efforts is creating specialized guides that include itineraries with daytime and nighttime activities, as well as suggested areas for the best star-viewing spots. Mapping out a route for visitors gives destinations a chance to highlight other features of the region, and research has shown that when people have a plan in a natural area, they are more likely to take better care of it.6
Other parts of memorable stargazing can include pledges to responsible star-viewing and education about dark-sky preservation.
Night sky exploration can also appeal to animal lovers, as they can observe nocturnal animals such as migratory birds, salamanders, black-footed ferrets, and even tarantulas.
Stargazing programs that encourage protecting nighttime environments appeal to all types of eco-conscious visitors, whether they are animal lovers, want to decrease artificial skyglow, or are interested in preserving and enjoying the benefits of wild areas. Attracting more eco-conscious guests can also be an advantage for destinations.
At Bryce Canyon National Park, a study found that up to 10% of park visitors participated in dark-sky programming or informal astronomy activities. The same study found that evening program attendance doubled after the park began introducing stargazing experiences.7
In 2019, one study found that non-local tourists who value dark skies will spend $5.8 billion over 10 years in the Colorado Plateau region—an area that encompasses parts of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, known for its exceptionally dark skies and outstanding stargazing.8
Ready to attract more visitors through stargazing? Contact our experts to get started today.
Sources
1 https://www.adventuretravelnews.com/natural-areas-and-domestic-destinations-will-prevail-in-tourisms-recovery
2 https://www.gstcouncil.org/what-is-sustainable-tourism/
3 https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nightskies/natural.htm
4 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006320719307797?via%3Dihub#bib0520
5 https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.1600377
6 https://theconversation.com/people-take-better-care-of-public-places-when-they-feel-like-they-have-a-stake-in-them-153710
7 https://darksky.org/news/3-benefits-of-a-dark-sky-designation/
8 https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1007&context=articles-chpa
Kirsten has always been driven by curiosity and connection. Her love for travel, the outdoors, and discovering new places fuels both her personal adventures and professional passion for helping destinations reach their fullest potential.
Before joining DestinationiQ, Kirsten spent several years in the hospitality industry, where she developed a deep appreciation for exceptional guest experiences and the power of meaningful relationships. She joined DestinationiQ in early 2022 as an administrative assistant, quickly immersing herself in every facet of the company. Her eagerness to learn, natural leadership, and ability to bring teams together led her to grow into the role of Project Manager and ultimately, Account Director.
Kirsten thrives on equipping people and organizations to be the best they can be, whether she’s helping a client strengthen their destination identity or supporting her team behind the scenes. When she’s not working, you’ll find her exploring new places, spending time with her family, or finding the next trail to wander.
Lindsay has been an explorer her entire life. She has traveled much of the world, falling in love with all the outdoor recreational opportunities, geologic diversity, rich history, and cultural depth it has to offer.
She began working with DestinationiQ in 2016, where she encouraged the company to focus even more on Destination Management and easily moved into an account director position where she further shines a light on her communications, relationship-building, strategic planning, and leadership skills; guiding clients on a successful path of tourism evolution.
Lindsay’s extensive network includes tourism directors and board members, social media influencers, members of state tourism offices, journalists, photographers, business leaders, and more.
Bryan is the president and owner of DestinationiQ. He has decades of experience in the tourism field and remains on the cutting edge of the industry. He firmly believes in building open and honest long-term relationships through transparent communication and providing regions with sustainable and responsible tourism strategies that have a significant economic impact.
Years ago, he recognized the ROI on tourism far outpaced many other investments, yet there was always a gap where traditional tourism consultancies and regional staff were seldom able to do everything they need to do. DestinationiQ was born to meet these needs and fill the gap; treating our clients as the experts, actively listening to their goals, forming long-lasting partnerships, and functioning as an extension of their teams, overseeing budget decisions, crafting tourism programs, executing marketing plans, and delivering the products and services they need and deserve.
