The Western Cape government has celebrated the graduation of a new cohort of astro night sky tourist guides at the !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre.
The group completed an astro guiding programme, which was devised in partnership between the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) and the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA).
The programme is aimed largely at existing nature guides. The astro qualification is an additional specialisation rather than a basic entry-level credential. It is also part of a structured pathway towards FGASA field guide professional standards alongside the FGASA astronomy – night sky guide specialisation.
Speaking at the astro night sky specialisation graduation ceremony, Ivan Meyer, Western Cape Provincial Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, congratulated the graduates for investing in specialised skills that assist the province’s visitor economy.
“We can have the darkest skies in the world but these skilled and certified guides are helping to shine a light on this bold frontier of tourism,” Meyer said. “These graduates are the bridge between complex science, culture and compelling storytelling. They turn a night sky into a lifelong memory for visitors.”
Meyer noted that global travel trends are shifting towards experience-based tourism that amplifies knowledge, authenticity and storytelling. As a result, the Western Cape government is investing in niche and special interest tourism, including heritage, nature-based, wellness and astro tourism.
Speaking to Tourism Update, Daniel Johnson, Spokesperson for Meyer, said most graduates will continue working as freelancers while some are already employed by existing attractions.
Johnson said the Western Cape currently has a number of existing astro tourism products and operators, including sites such as the Cederberg Astronomical Observatory, South African Astronomical Observatory and Iziko Planetarium and Digital Dome alongside tourism products in regions such as the Cederberg, Karoo and West Coast.
Demand will be supported through collaboration between the department, Wesgro and SA Tourism, alongside regional and local tourism organisations, to promote astro tourism experiences, he added.
The department is also pursuing broader community guide mentorship programmes and aligning with the National Astro Tourism Strategy. Businesses can apply for support through the Tourism Growth Fund for infrastructure or equipment linked to astro tourism development.
The programme will be monitored through ongoing engagement with beneficiaries to track career progression and identify further support needs.
