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SUMMARY:O46 - Designing Darkness: From a Phuket Luxury Resort to Accessibl
 e Astrotourism for Everyone.
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20261125T064500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20261125T070000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20261112T145733Z
UID:indico-contribution-918@indico.narit.or.th
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Natcha Boonroj ()\nAstrotourism is increasingly reco
 gnised as a form of sustainable tourism that connects astronomical observa
 tion\, environmental conservation\, science communication\, and place-base
 d experience. However\, developing astrotourism in established tourism des
 tinations remains challenging\, particularly in areas affected by light po
 llution\, tropical weather\, seasonal cloud cover\, dense tourism activity
 \, and the operational demands of hospitality. This presentation examines 
 a practitioner-led case study of supporting an ultra-luxury hotel in Phuke
 t\, Thailand\, in its effort to achieve Dark Sky certification. The proces
 s required not only adjustments to lighting practices\, but also coordinat
 ion among hotel management\, staff\, guests\, guides\, and other stakehold
 ers while balancing environmental objectives with safety\, aesthetics\, an
 d service standards.\nDrawing on the speaker’s experience as an astrogui
 de at the hotel\, the presentation also explores how visitors engage with 
 the night sky. Their responses were shaped not only by scientific knowledg
 e\, but also by cultural background\, emotional expectations\, attention\,
  comfort with darkness\, and the social context of the activity. These obs
 ervations suggest that effective astrotourism should be designed as a huma
 n-centred experience combining astronomy interpretation\, storytelling\, h
 ospitality\, and an understanding of visitor behaviour.\nFollowing this wo
 rk\, the speaker established an independent astrotourism initiative aimed 
 at making stargazing accessible beyond luxury hospitality. Activities were
  organised across Thailand\, from northern destinations to relatively dark
  locations near Bangkok\, while also exploring stargazing as a tool for re
 laxation\, mindfulness\, retreat\, and psychological restoration. The pres
 entation argues that accessible astrotourism can provide a strong social f
 oundation for Dark Sky conservation by embedding meaningful experiences of
  darkness into tourism\, education\, leisure\, and everyday life\, thereby
  strengthening public awareness of light pollution and long-term support f
 or protecting the night sky.\n\nhttps://indico.narit.or.th/event/238/contr
 ibutions/918/
LOCATION:Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort Ballroom II
URL:https://indico.narit.or.th/event/238/contributions/918/
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