Why Astro-Tourism is Taking Off
Dark skies have always carried a certain allure. They’re mysterious, a little dangerous, and—let’s be honest—downright sexy. When the lights go out, the universe comes alive: constellations appear, stories emerge, and suddenly you’re not just looking up—you’re connecting with something far bigger than yourself.
That’s why noctourism is booming. It’s not just about chasing the stars—it’s about conservation, culture, and community. From the world-famous Jasper Dark Sky Festival to the intimate Three Stars Dark Sky pilot with the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, these projects prove that darkness is more than an absence of light—it’s an invitation.
What Is Noctourism, Really?
Noctourism is travel with its eyes on the skies—and everything that comes with the night.
It might mean hiking under the glow of the moon while a guide explains how nocturnal animals navigate by starlight. Or sitting around a fire while an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper shares stories of constellations that don’t appear in any Western astronomy textbook. Or joining an astrophotography workshop where your “selfie” background is literally the galaxy.
As travel journalist Stephanie Vermillion has written, noctourism connects people to places in ways that ordinary travel can’t—it’s cultural, environmental, and deeply personal. It’s also surprisingly social: you can’t scroll your phone when the best show is happening 300,000 light years away.
And it’s growing fast. Around the world, noctourism is one of the most in-demand forms of sustainable travel, precisely because it gives people what they’re craving—silence, perspective, and a little mystery.
Why Dark Skies Matter
Noctourism only works if the stars can shine. When cities flood the night with artificial light, we lose more than twinkly skies—we lose orientation, ecological balance, and cultural memory.
Protecting dark skies means:
Healthier ecosystems — birds, bats, and countless nocturnal creatures depend on darkness for survival.
Cultural continuity — many Indigenous Knowledge Keepers hold stories, songs, and teachings tied to the stars.
Tourism that pays off — travellers will happily spend big for that “I saw the Milky Way with my own eyes” moment.
Wonder that lasts a lifetime — because seeing Saturn’s rings or the Andromeda galaxy through a telescope is better than any Netflix finale.
Dark skies aren’t just empty space—they’re one of our richest natural and cultural resources.
Where Noctourism Shines
Canada has become a hotspot for cosmic getaways. The Jasper Dark Sky Festival is the showstopper—ten days each October where astronauts, astrophysicists, drag performers, and curious stargazers all gather under one enormous dome of stars. Foundry has been proud to collaborate with science communicator Niki Wilson (@NikiWilson_) for more than a decade, helping the festival evolve into one of the world’s most creative celebrations of science and story.
Niki puts it best: “Jasper Dark Sky has always been about more than astronomy—it’s about creating a space where wonder feels contagious.”
But not all noctourism is about scale. Sometimes it’s the smaller, community-led projects that are the most powerful. In 2024, Foundry partnered with the Huu-ay-aht First Nations to pilot Three Stars Dark Sky in Bamfield and Anacla. Guided by Knowledge Keeper Qiic Qiica, guests explored the sacred site of Kiix̣in, listened to fireside stories, and dreamed of what a dark-sky future could mean for their community.
And beyond the west coast? Storytellers like Vicky Derksen and grassroots operators like Cliff Valley Astronomy in New Brunswick are proving that stargazing is as versatile as it is magical. Whether it’s a guided “star party” on the prairies or a telescope tour along the Bay of Fundy, Canadians are discovering that dark skies are one of our most overlooked natural resources.
Why Noctourism Is Sexy
The truth is, darkness is alluring because it asks us to slow down. It creates intimacy—between us and the stars, us and each other, and us and the stories we’ve carried for generations. Noctourism is travel stripped of neon lights and Instagram filters. It’s travel that leaves you feeling humbled, enchanted, and maybe even a little turned on by the cosmos.
For Foundry, projects like Jasper Dark Sky and Three Stars Dark Sky are reminders that the best adventures aren’t always the brightest. Sometimes, the sexiest thing you can do is switch off the lights and look up.
