Abstract:Astrotourism is an activity of travelers wishing to use the natural resource of well -kept nightscapes for astronomy -related leisure and knowledge. This practice has increased in popularity during the past few years, adding value to offbeat tourism destinations offering high quality night skies and astronomical or archaeoastronomical heritage. Astrotourism initiatives contribute to the dissemination of knowledge and human capital formation, both among the visitors and within the host community. Therefore, it can act as a potential instrument for development. The best destinations for astrotourism have very special characteristics, which makes for a likely favorable strategic positioning in domestic and even international markets. However, astrotourism consumers demand high knowledge content and excellent quality in their visits. This requires a professional approach to resource use and conservation, product development, and adequate provision of ancillary services in the destination. A sophisticated tourism policy and governance is a must for successful launch and operation of astrotourism.Keywords: Astrotourism, scientific tourism, human capital, natural and cultural heritage, tourism policy, governance. Astroturismo: No réquiem por un turismo con significadoResumen: El astroturismo, entendido como actividad lúdico -científica, ha crecido considerablemente en los últimos años. Se han puesto en valor importantes recursos naturales y culturales vinculados a la buena conservación de paisajes y patrimonios en el ámbito de la astronomía. Su práctica contribuye a la diseminación científica y la formación de capital humano, tanto entre los turistas usuarios como en las comunidades anfitrionas, por lo que puede contribuir al desarrollo. Los destinos turísticos con posibilidades para su articulación tienen características singulares, lo que permite un buen posicionamiento en los mercados, incluso a nivel internacional. Sin embargo, las exigencias de contenido en conocimiento y de calidad de los productos de astroturismo son altas, por lo que es recomendable un planteamiento profesional de esta actividad, valorando adecuadamente la estructura de factores, productos y servicios soporte del destino turístico considerado, y las medidas de política turística y gobernanza necesarias para su buen lanzamiento y desarrollo.Palabras Clave: Astroturismo, turismo científico, capital humano, patrimonio cultural y natural, política turística, gobernanza.

Abstract. The Starlight Initiative brings a new view of the night sky and of its value enhancement, claiming the access to starlight as a scientific, environmental, and cultural right of humankind. Night sky quality has been seriously damaged in the last years because of light and atmospheric pollution, and an international action in favour of intelligent outdoor lighting is urgently needed. After the promulgation of the Starlight Declaration, we are jointly working with UNESCO, the World Heritage Centre, the MaB Programme, and other international institutions in the development of Starlight Reserves as exemplary areas that would act as models for the recovery of the heritage associated to star observation. The possibility arises to design and launch new tourist products and destinations based on astronomy and starry sceneries.

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