Astro-tourism conceptualisation as special-interest tourism (SIT) field: a phenomonological approach. Issue 18 (8th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Soleimani, Samaneh; Bruwer, Johan; Gross, Michael J.; Lee, Richard
• Is Part Of: Current issues in tourism. Volume 22:Issue 18(2019)
• Page Start: 2299
• Page End: 2314
• Publication Date: 2019-11-08
• Subjects: Astro-tourism -- nature-based tourism -- special-interest tourism -- sky observation -- destination image; Tourism -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Tourism -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Travel -- Periodicals; 338.479105
• DOI: 10.1080/13683500.2018.1444021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-3500

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study conceptualises astro-tourism as a nature-based tourism phenomenon and illustrates its positioning as a special-interest tourism (SIT) field using a phenomenological approach. In the process, this baseline research study contributes to this relatively new tourism field's foundational research aspects, such as developing a definition and, examining its articulation with destination image. It finds that astro-tourism is based on the interest of tourists in sky-related activities such as dark sky observation and astrophotography, most often in a nature-based context. The findings can be utilised to develop astro-tourism as a new medium in conceptualising tourism destination image by combining destination earth features as well as sky features. Targeting sky features of a destination combined with the earth facilities to attract tourists is one of the new opportunities to deliver unique tourism products.