Astro-tourism: Discovering a whole new world under the stars

Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 1, 17 - 26, 31.03.2025

Burhan Öksüz Şirvan Şen Demir , Nevzat Özdemir

https://doi.org/10.24288/jttr.1631484

Abstract

Astro-tourism is a form of tourism that involves traveling to remote or dark-sky areas to observe celestial phenomena, such as stars, planets, and meteor showers, away from light pollution. This study aims to evaluate the current status and potential of astro-tourism in Melikler Plateau, located in the Yenişarbademli district of Isparta. As one of the darkest locations in Turkey, identified by experts, this region is a prime destination for sky observation tourism due to its distance from city lights. The research collects data from three stakeholders: decision-makers (municipality, district governorate, provincial directorate of culture and tourism, and universities), residents, and tourism students experiencing astro-tourism for the first time. The collected data were analyzed thematically using content analysis. The findings indicate that all stakeholders agree on developing astro-tourism to contribute to the region’s economic and tourism growth.

Keywords

Astro-tourism, sky observations, light pollution, astronomy festivals, dark sky reserves, Melikler Plateau, Yenişarbademli, Isparta

Supporting Institution

TUBITAK 2209-A University Students Research Projects Support Program 2023/2 and application number: 1919B12317898.

Thanks

This research is supported by TUBITAK 2209-A University Students Research Projects Support Program 2023/2 and application number: 1919B12317898. (TÜBİTAK 2209-A Üniversite Öğrencileri Araştırma Projeleri Destekleme Programı 2023/2 ve başvuru numarası:1919B12317898 ile desteklenmiştir).

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