Northern Cape – South Africa joined the global community today to mark World Tourism Day (WTD) at a joint celebration hosted by the Department of Tourism (DT), in collaboration with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), to promote domestic travel and to showcase the country’s diverse tourism offerings.

In 1980, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) declared the 27th of September as WTD. The day is celebrated annually affording the global tourism community an opportunity to reflect and commemorate its milestones in relation to the fulfilment of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

South Africa’s World Tourism Day celebration was held in the Northern Cape Province under the localised theme Tourism and Peace – 30 years of connecting People to Places and Cultures, highlighting how our diverse cultural and historical heritage continues to foster peace, making the country a preferred holiday destination.

The quaint 1800’s historical charm of the town of Carnarvon, and its clear night skies, provided an apt environment for a celebration that connected guests from diverse cultures and sectors at a place that is predestined and poised to be a part of South Africa’s world class astro-tourism hub near the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) project.

“South Africa is blessed with diverse culture and nature offerings. These offerings have afforded us a space to be innovative, and to create unique tourism experiences.”

“Access to these protected spaces has also enabled us to also educate tourists about our indigenous cultures, whilst empowering our communities on the value of conserving our habitats.”

“We are extremely privileged to be able to leverage on our nature offerings and historical heritage to create tourism employment and business opportunities for our people.”

“The clear and beautiful skies in the Northern Cape offer an uncharted space for us to grow a niche astro-tourism experience that will boost tourism to the province, and grow local economies sustainability,” Minister of Tourism Ms. Patricia De Lille said.

On 18 September 2024, the Cabinet of South Africa approved Tourism and DSI’s National Astro-Tourism Strategy and Implementation Plan for publication and public comment. The strategy aims to position South Africa as a world-class astro-tourism destination, boosting economic development and employment in the sector.

Astro-tourism activities include star and sky gazing with the naked eye and through a telescope, observing lunar and solar eclipses, meteorite showers, viewing comets and the northern lights, visiting planetariums and observatories and experiencing the unique indigenous star lore narratives.