The Government is celebrating a new cohort of Astro Night Sky Tourist Guides. That’s the word from the Western Cape Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism MEC, Dr Ivan Meyer. He says the new cohort forms part of the plan of the Provincial Government to strengthen its position as a leader in niche and sustainable tourism.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Shay Wood (Pexels)
“To our graduates: Use these skills well as ambassadors for our province and for the protection of our dark skies,” said MEC Meyer
The government is celebrating a new cohort of Astro Night Sky Tourist Guides
MEC Meyer recently spoke at the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa Astro Night Sky Specialisation Graduation Ceremony. It was held at the ! Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre. The MEC used the opportunity to congratulate the graduates for investing in specialised skills. He says this will help to grow the visitor economy in the Province.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Kelly (Pexels)
“To our graduates: you are now part of a tourism future that is smarter, more sustainable, and more inclusive,” said the MEC.
Graduation of specialist night-sky guides
The MEC said that tourism is integral to growth and job creation. He says by choosing to specialise and to keep learning, these graduates are helping the Western Cape move from a tourism strategy based on volume to one focused on value, sustainability, and inclusive economic growth. As it stands, tourism remains a priority sector for the Western Cape economy. He says, in 2023, the sector contributed an estimated R28.6 billion in Gross Value Added and supported more than 257,000 jobs across the province. This included guiding, hospitality and transport services.
“These graduates are the bridge between complex science, culture and compelling storytelling. They turn a night sky into a lifelong memory for visitors”.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Erike Fusiki (Pexels)
Western Cape positions astro tourism as a new growth frontier
MEC Meyer also noted that global travel trends are shifting away from traditional “sun, sea and scenery” offerings. He says the shift is towards experience-based tourism that emphasises knowledge, authenticity and storytelling. Meyer says as a result, the Provincial Government is actively investing in niche and special-interest tourism. This includes heritage, nature-based, wellness and astro tourism.
Astro tourism, particularly in the Karoo
The MEC says Astro tourism, particularly in the Karoo, the West Coast and the interior, allows them to turn their dark skies and low light pollution into a powerful economic asset. He says this encourages off-peak travel, draws visitors into smaller towns and creates new income opportunities in rural communities. At the same time, the MEC emphasised that skills and professional standards are key to unlocking this potential.
“We can have the darkest skies in the world, but these skilled and certified guides are helping to shine a light on this bold frontier of tourism,” Minister Meyer added.
The astro guiding programme
Meyer said the astro guiding programme is the result of a partnership between the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) and the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA). It is aimed at building future-ready tourism skills and maintaining professional guiding standards. The MEC concluded that the collaboration demonstrates how a tourism strategy can be translated into real economic impact on the ground.
Merentia joined the media world in 1996 and in 2001, she took her first steps in the broadcasting world. In her free time, she likes to go on adventures in the city. She also likes to learn new dances, not that she is any good at that.
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