by StarlIght INTERNATIONAL ASTROTOURISM 8-11 September 2021 in Évora, PORTUGAL Register Now Conference

About The Event

The I International Astrotourism Conference by Starlight will be held in Évora, a territory that is integrated in the First Starlight Tourism destination in the world, Dark Sky® Alqueva.

The “tourism of the stars”, or Astrotourism, promoted by the Starlight Foundation (www.fundacionstarlight.org) is an emerging, high-quality and innovative modality of sustainable and responsible tourism, which in turn is a driver of the local economy. It combines the observation of the sky with activities related to this natural resource; stars, galaxies and the dissemination of astronomy.

To encourage this scientific tourism it is necessary to protect the night sky, thereby enabling energy savings and mitigating the effects of climate change while combining the starscape with the natural, cultural, scientific, biodiversity and environmental assets in those places that care for the night sky.

This conference is intended to act as a worldwide appointment for the most significant representatives of the field of tourism of the stars. Public administrations, scientific institutions and universities, local communities and travel agents are invited to share experiences and reflect on the future challenges for the next decade.

This first conference will be divided into four main issues that need further debate:

The night Sky and Destinations
The Night Sky and Light Pollution
The Night Sky and Astronomy
The Night Sky and Heritage

WHERE
Évora, Portugal
University of Évora
Espírito Santo College Auditorium
Largo dos Colegiais, 2
7000-812 Évora

WHEN

Wednesday to Saturday
8th to 11th September 2021

8th September | Starlight Destinations
9th to 10 September | I International Astrotourism Conference by Starlight
11th September | Starlight Party Alqueva

View Speakers


The Values of Astrotourism

1. Science and society
2. The science as culture
3. Tourism as cultural dialogue
4. Importance of tourism in the popularization of science
5. Cultural value of scientific tourism
6. Features of the scientific tourism
7. Scientific tourism, an opportunity
8. Singularity of Astronomy as science
9. The dark sky: Humankind’s cultural heritage
10. Values of the night sky
11. “The Starlight Declaration in the Defense of the Night Sky and the Right to the Light of the Stars” (La Palma, 2007)


Astrotourism: An instrument for sustainability and for climate change mitigation

12. Strategic value: economic and energy saving
13. Dialogue of the cities and historical places with the stars
14. Protection of the night sky
15. Night sky: environment and biodiversity
16. Night sky and Health: a factor of quality of life
17. Tourism as an instrument to mitigate climate change and for sustainability


Astrotourism and Local Economic Development

18. Dimensions of astrotourism:
19. Importance of sustainable tourism for the development of rural territories
20. Nature tourism: addition of the starred landscape
21. Astrotourism against the depopulation in rural areas
22. Opportunity of the creation of new products of Astrotourism

23. In times of tourism-phobia how the Astrotourism is integrated in the territories.
24. Management of territories declared Starlight Reserves and Starlight Tourist Destinations
25. The challenge of the quality
26. Starlight modalities as possible prototypes


Education, Training and Outreach

27. Starlight training: guides, monitors, auditors, lighting technicians, teachers
28. Synergies with Astrophysics Research Centers, Astronomical Observatories and Universities
29. International cooperation with Amateur Astronomers Associations and with AWB
30. Communication and marketing of Astrotourism places and activities
31. Light pollution in the press
32. Use of new technologies in Astrotourism
33. The value of the night sky: a pending subject in the schools
34. Astrotourism: a potential University Master Degree
35. Alliances with the UNWTO, IAU and UNESCO


Conference Schedule

  • Day 1

    8th September 2021

  • Day 2

    9th September 2021

  • Day 3

    10th September 2021

  • Requires registration and the payment of 30,00 €/ person
    Where
    Hotel Vila Galé Évora - Avenida Túlio Espanca, 7000-068, Évoroa

  • Day 4 - Social Program

    11th September 2021

  • Requires registration. Limited to a maximum of 20 participants
    Where
    Évora

  • Requires registration. Limited to a maximum of 20 participants
    Where
    Évora

  • Requires registration. Limited to a maximum of 20 participants
    Where
    Évora

  • Requires registration. Limited to a maximum of 20 participants
    Where
    Évora

  • Transport available from Évora - Mourão - Évora
    Where
    Mourão Castle

Our Speakers

Organizers

Co-Organizers

Partners

Location

Espírito Santo College Auditorium, University of Evora, PORTUGAL

Where to stay

Albergaria do Calvário

Albergaria do Calvário

Avenida Túlio Espanca 7005-840 Évora | 15% discount with the code: DarkSky
Villa Galé Évora

Villa Galé Évora

Rua da Freiria de Baixo, 16 7000-898 Évora | 10% discount with the code: DarkSky
Noble Hotel

Noble Hotel

Rua da Freiria de Baixo, 16 7000-898 Évora | 15% discount with the code: DarkSky
Stay Hotel Évora Centro

Stay Hotel Évora Centro

Travessa da Milheira, 19 7000-545 Évora | 10% discount with code: GREATCORPORATE