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The Conversation
The Conversation
Eben Proos, Senior Lecturer in Tourism and Event Management, Central University of Technology

Bloemfontein, South Africa: how to turn clear skies, a planetarium and an observatory into a tourist attraction

Astro-tourism is a niche form of tourism where visitors explore the night sky through stargazing events, guided tours, educational presentations and digital astronomy experiences. Unlike mass tourism, astro-tourism focuses on learning rather than just sightseeing.

Astro-tourism could also offer a lifeline to places that don’t have major natural resource attractions that draw tourists.

One place that could benefit from astro-tourism is Bloemfontein, situated in the heart of South Africa’s Free State province. It’s never been considered one of South Africa’s popular tourist destinations. That’s because the city lacks a major attraction like the Kruger National Park or Cape Town’s Table Mountain.

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