Strategy and Model for Sustainable Transborder Dark Sky Tourism

Abstract

The concept of dark sky tourism began to be recognized in Thailand in 2020. It is a way to conserve dark sky areas allowing us to see stars and the Milky Way. This can be one of the cheapest solutions for grassroots economic development in rural areas, particularly those far from the reach of electricity. Therefore, it can be a means to turn these weaknesses into strengths by developing them into astronomical tourism destinations. Chiang Rai is the first province of Thailand to comprehensively obtain its first dark sky map. However, there have been no registered dark sky conservation zones by either the Thailand Astronomical Research Institutions or the International Dark Sky Associations. Therefore, we have started to identify areas for a case study, such as Homelomjoy in Tharntong, Phan district, Chiang Rai, to serve as a model for dark sky tourism. The three main objectives are: 1) to promote community development through dark sky tourism, 2) to develop the dark sky tourism model, and 3) to analyze the social return on investment sustainably derived from dark sky tourism.

It is suggested that the Homelomjoy dark sky tourism model can be extended to trans-border dark sky tourism. The principle is that provinces located at the border of countries within the Mekong River basin share common characteristics, such as having a "high potential opportunity" for developing dark sky tourism in terms of business, cultural exchange, and environmental awareness, and a "common weakness" in lacking basic infrastructure, tools, and manpower. Therefore, from the SWOT analysis, it is apparent that addressing the manpower development issue is essential. It is also found that dark sky tourism not only provides the cheapest solution to grassroots economic development but also raises awareness among the public about the impact of increasing light pollution on humans, animals, and plants.