Half of the world’s population cannot see the beauty of the night sky. The African sky remains at an advantage, which is why the Northern Cape with its clear sky full of stars is celebrated as South Africa’s astro-tourism destination on World Tourism Day.

As Africa’s gateway to the galaxies, Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille, and Minister of Science and Innovation Prof. Blade Nzimande launched the Astro-Tourism Strategy at Carnarvon on Friday (27/9). “It is for this reason that we chose this site to be the focus of our official World Tourism Day celebration here in the Northern Cape on 27 September,“ De Lille said. 

“This province is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cultural heritage, and unparalleled experiences for adventure and cultural immersion,” she said at the Tourism Month Media Launch held in Kimberley earlier.

“We chose this beautiful province as the host for this year’s celebrations, not just because of its vast and varied tourism offerings but also to bring attention to a region that is often less visited when compared to others in our country.

“The Northern Cape is truly a gem within our South African borders, offering diverse experiences that cater to all tastes and interests. From the rugged terrains of the Kalahari Desert to the vibrant wildflower displays of Namaqualand, this province embodies the essence of natural beauty and breathtaking landscapes.”

World Tourism Day is also celebrated globally on 27 September, as declared by the United Nations. The UN has declared that 2024’s World Tourism Day will focus on “Tourism and Peace”, highlighting the connection between tourism and global peace.

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande has arrived in #Carnarvon to unveil the SA #AstroTourism strategy and to participate in #WorldTourismDay celebrations #TourismMonth2024 #itsmysouthafrica #ExperiencetheNorthenCape #DSI #Itspossible pic.twitter.com/4wE9J27vMg

— DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & INNOVATION (@dsigovza) September 27, 2024

South Africa celebrates Tourism Month to promote domestic travel, showcase the country’s diverse tourism offerings, and highlight the sector’s significant contribution to the South African economy. This year, it is celebrated under the localised theme: “Tourism and Peace – 30 years of connecting People to Places and Cultures.”

The Northern Cape hosts the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) radio telescope and the South African Largest Telescope (Salt). On Friday, De Lille delivered a speech on the significance of astro-tourism in the Northern Cape.

“Very exciting for me is that this province is leading South Africa’s proactive stance in leveraging the significant advances made in the development of the world’s largest space telescope array, with a comprehensive astro-tourism strategy.

“There are immense opportunities for astro-tourism in South Africa and especially in the Northern Cape and this is why we were intentional about selecting this province and the town of Carnarvon.

“Today, we are here to cast the spotlight on these experiences and invite South Africans and visitors from the rest of the world to explore this province and to engage with living cultures and traditions that continue to thrive here.

“We want to use the SKA and astro-tourism as a catalyst to develop the Karoo and provide opportunities for rural tourism as well as agri-tourism to develop rural areas further.”

South Africa is the first country on the African continent to develop a National Astro-Tourism Strategy, that the Department of Tourism is finalising to present to the cabinet.

“This gives us the legacy of mutual understanding between the astronomy significance and the indigenous celestial narratives, enhancing the synergy between humans and conservation and a creative link between our origins of life on earth and the origins of the universe. 

“This strategy aims to position South Africa as a world-class astro-tourism destination.

Tourism Month festivities will be held throughout the country to highlight the plethora of tourism offerings in all nine provinces. The festivities also provide a platform for the sector to share its affordable travel deals to inspire South Africans to explore the country in its entirety from the coastal regions to small towns, villages and dorpies.

Tourism is a vital sector for South Africa, contributing more to the GDP than transport, mining, and agriculture, and nearly matching the government’s contribution to GDP. 

In 2023, South Africa recorded an impressive 38 million domestic trips, contributing R121 billion in spending to the economy. This surge in domestic tourism highlights the critical role that domestic travellers play in sustaining the tourism industry.

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