Possibility of astronomical phenomena to be used to support tourism industry

Abstract

Several astronomical events in the past have shown their potential to attract tourists. This motivates some astronomers and tourism activists to create tourism related events when an interesting astronomical phenomenon occur. The most attractive recent astronomical phenomenon for tourists was the solar eclipse as was proven during the total solar eclipse of March 9, 2016. Similarly, other phenomena such as the lunar eclipse, meteor shower, Mars Opposition have some potential to be exploited as events to attract tourists. Belitong Geopark had organized a sky observation event, for example super blue blood moon event on January 31, 2018 and Mars opposition event on July 21, 2018. It successfully drew attention far and wide, but it needed more effort and creativity to make these events more attractive and marketable. Other cultural heritage sites which contain inherent astronomical tie-in knowledge, such as Borobudur Temple, are also strong prospective to be developed for astro-tourism destinations. In the future, astro-tourism permanent facilities may be developed, for example, sky observation facilities for amateurs in Dark Sky National Park, near Mount Timau National Observatory in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara Province.

Astrotourism–Exceeding Limits of the Earth and Tourism Definitions?

“…Specific activities of astrotourism currently include traveling to experience astronomical phenomena (see a map of such phenomena in Europe [63]) such as solar eclipses [35,38], auroras [64] and traveling to observe space objects on dark sky sites with minimal light pollution [64]. The astrotourist is perceived as a person who values uniqueness of such phenomena, as they bring him/her satisfaction, a sense of freedom and calm [64].…”

“…Various astronomical phenomena have the potential to attract the attention of common tourism participants, according to References [35,43], especially the solar and lunar eclipse, meteor shower, sunsets in picturesque natural settings (e.g., sea, high mountains) and Mars opposition. These striking phenomena are relatively easy to observe regarding technical support and facilities.…”

“…A total solar eclipse is the rarest of these solar phenomena, it occurs in a belt of totality wide on the surface of the Earth at most 270 km and tourists are willing to travel for it even at a distance of thousands km. Observing a total solar eclipse can become a mass tourism occasion [35] if it passes through relatively accessible territories.…”

“…Astronomical phenomena, knowledge of the universe (e.g., Reference [30]), cosmic tours into the stratosphere and near universe (e.g., Reference [31]) and virtual tourism motivated by discovering space (e.g., Reference [32]) are considered among typical attractions, motivations and activities of astrotourism. Many authors (e.g., References [30,[33][34][35]) use a narrower definition of astrotourism as they limit astrotourism to terrestrial astrotourism. According to References [31,36], astrotourism can be classified as a part of special-interest tourism (SIT), alternatively labelled as niche tourism [37].…”

“…According to Reference [39], observing the night sky with the naked eye can also be perceived as a part of mass tourism in many destinations. In many countries-such as Chile [40], Indonesia [35], Serbia [41], Spain [42], the Philippines [43], South Africa [44][45][46][47], Tanzania [48], and Polish-Slovak Borderland [49], astrotourism is considered to be an important factor supporting local tourism development.…”