Logo_Service & Tourism: Current Challenges_eng

Spatial Organization of Tourism and Hospitality

Vol. 20 No. 4 (2026)

ASTROTOURISM AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT OF TOURIST AND RECREATIONAL SPACE

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22412/2414-9063-2026-20-4-207-216
Submitted
October 19, 2026
Published
October 16, 2026

Abstract

Astrotourism offers tourists, scientists, and local communities opportunities to develop astronomical, cultural, and environmental activities using the unique natural resource of the dark sky. This type of tourism includes stargazing, visits to dark-sky areas, and observatories, including for educational purposes. The purpose of this article is to explore and consider astrotourism as a form of tourism activity. The research focus is on astrological tourism. Using examples from the United States, Portugal, Great Britain, the Netherlands, South Africa, and other countries, the potential of astrotourism is explored. The presence of astrological forms of tourism was analyzed as an indicator of the development of a tourism and recreational system, where dark-sky observation can be integrated with visits to natural parks. The creation of astro sites and the development of tours contribute to regional economic growth and smooth out seasonal fluctuations in tourist flow. Scientific novelty: studying territories and sites from the perspective of the availability of opportunities for astrotourism activities. The study is based on methods of analysis and synthesis. The research utilizes the scientific works of both Russian and international scientists. Based on the data obtained, the feasibility of expanding astrological tourism to natural parks and observatories was identified, including from both an economic and personnel perspective. The relevance of studying astrotourism stems from its importance in addressing environmental issues. Artificial lighting and dense urban development make it difficult to observe dark skies, forcing people to travel to natural parks to study the stars and deep-sky objects.

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