Dark Sky® Alqueva is the first destination in Portugal dedicated to astrotourism. Born in 2007 and certified in 2011, it’s the first Starlight Tourism Destination in the world as well as the first cross-border destination, has its Official Observatory in Cumeada, a Best Tourism Village by UNWTO. Our mission is to protect the night sky as a resource for sustainable destination development and raise awareness of the importance of protecting this resource from the growing problem of light pollution
Cross-border/international
Portugal
Spain
{Empty}
In Portugal Dark Sky® Alqueva includes eleven municipalities in South of the country: Alandroal, Barrancos, Estremoz, Évora, Mértola, Moura, Mourão, Portel, Redondo, Reguengos de Monsaraz e Serpa.
In Spain Dark Sky® Alqueva includes thirteen ayntamientos da Diputación de Badajoz surrounding the spanish part of Lake Alqueva.
Mainly rural
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Yes
ERDF : European Regional Development Fund
Our project received small amounts of funds in two Interreg A projects, POCTEP, to support the development of the cross-border cooperation. The first was called RDC LA 2020 and the second was called Globaltur. In Globaltur our activities ended in the 31st December 2021 but with the support of another organization, ATLA, and in the same project, we were able to develop the Dark Sky® Party Alqueva 2022.
No
Yes
2022-12-31
As a representative of an organisation
Name of the organisation(s): Associação Dark Sky Type of organisation: Non-profit organisation First name of representative: Apolónia Last name of representative: Rodrigues Gender: Female Nationality: Portugal Function: President Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Rua de São Francisco, 15, R/C Dto Town: Borba Postal code: 7150-141 Country: Portugal Direct Tel:+351 966 580 005 E-mail:genuineland@gmail.com Website:http://www.darkskyalqueva.com
The first destination in Portugal dedicated to astrotourism was born in 2007, called Dark Sky® Alqueva (DSA), by the hands of Apolónia Rodrigues, who is the pioneer in developing astrotourism destinations in Portugal. Specialized in sustainable tourism and future tendencies in tourism, the creation of the concept and brand destination Dark Sky® was the best way to develop and implement different skills in a destination and contribute for a better future.
Certified in 2011, DSA is the first Starlight Tourism Destination in the world as well as the first cross-border Starlight Destination in the World. It covers an area of more than 10,000 square kilometers around the Alqueva Lake, including eleven Portuguese and thirteen Spanish council areas.
Dark Sky® Alqueva offers a diversity of daytime and night-time activities. Within the certified territory, DSA implemented the Official Dark Sky® Observatory in Cumeada, a village which, as a result of this project, received the seal of Best Tourism Village, attributed by the United Nations World Tourism Organization in 2021. This Official Observatory is equipped with cutting-edge telescopes for solar and astronomical observations and has a certified team to receive the stargazers. The wide open spaces of DSA also offer a wide variety of activities which supplement the pleasures of stargazing – experiencing an incredible variety of sensations and tastes, such as relaxing at sunset or taking part in a blind wine-tasting by starlight. Outdoors, surrounded by nature, you can go walking by moonlight, or participate in amazing astrophotography workshops.
The main mission of Dark Sky® is protecting the night sky as a resource for destination sustainable development, but also and above all, to raise awareness of the importance of protecting this resource from the growing problem of light pollution, respecting and preserving it in a delicate way as a delightful heritage of humanity!
Sustainability
Astrotourism
Research
Innovation
Inspiration
The creation and implementation of Dark Sky® Alqueva is based on many years of experience in sustainability that gave birth to an Integrated Model of Sustainable Development in Destinations.
Thus, since 2007, and by following this model, the entire development of Dark Sky® Alqueva has taken into account the pillars of sustainability. This destination, which we present here, is entirely integrated in a rural environment and due to that fact, the way we work and communicate “sustainability” is adapted to the environment in which Dark Sky® Alqueva was born. For this reason, a motif was chosen that brings people together around sustainability, without having to use that word constantly, and thus the mission of protecting the night sky arises. The protection of the night sky makes all the actions we work towards sustainability in the economic, social and environmental fields a reality. Protecting the night sky means reducing light pollution. This type of pollution affects human health, causes high energy costs, disturbs ecosystems and harms the environment. Thus, based on this mission, to protect the night sky, we were able to act at an economic, environmental and social level, with sustainable actions in different domains, without using a word that in many ways means something complex, unnecessary and a buzzword for everything. Our association is thus able to implement actions to combat light pollution, environmental protection, especially with regard to the lake system, and air quality, the circularity of the economy, among others, in an integrated way and under a mission that values the territory for those who live in it and for those who visit it.
The creation of Dark Sky® Alqueva (DSA), and the fact that it is under the Dark Sky® concept and destination brand, has and always has had a very important relationship with aesthetics and experience, which is why we have always presented ourselves as a destination with experiences that inspire and make you dream. At this point, the way we communicate, how we work with the image and brand makes all the difference. And it is for this reason that since 2012, we have created the figure of the Official Astrophotographer of DSA. Through his images that combine art, aesthetics, science and beauty, he manages to inspire and create empathy with our work and that allows us to go further with our mission. Each person that we manage to inspire with our experiences and with astrophotography can become an ambassador of our mission, and will therefore be more sensitive to the protection of the night sky. Because, after all, in this mission each one of us can really make a difference. The excess of artificial light is, above all, associated with a culture of light and if we manage to reduce this desire for excessive consumption in order to be able to appreciate another very important and beautiful asset, which is the night sky full of stars, maybe things can begin to change.
Our Astrophotographer Miguel Claro is dedicated to capturing the beauty of the landscape that appears under our contrasted night sky and full of objects to be appreciated, always harmonizing the landscape and the night sky. But also captures deep sky objects and this work is essentially carried out at the Official Dark Sky® Alqueva Observatory, an infrastructure located in a small village in the municipality of Reguengos de Monsaraz of 79 inhabitants, Aldeia da Cumeada. This village achieved the seal of Best Tourism Village by United Nations World Tourism Organization in 2021 for being the headquarters of the Dark Sky® Alqueva Destination and where its Official Observatory is located.
Dark Sky® Alqueva was created with the sustainable development of the destination in mind, that is to say that it is for the benefit of the territory where it is implemented. We have always been committed to a culture of social responsibility as an organization that is also certified in that field. For that reason, our actions are aimed for the common good. However, despite our actions and large projects benefiting a region, our resources for the development of our work are essentially generated by us, either by the revenue generated in supporting the development of other astrotourism destinations, or by the revenue from the activities carried out in, or by the Official Observatory. In the case of the Official Observatory, we develop solar and night observation sessions, blind wine tasting, astrophotography workshops, and many others. To ensure to reach everyone, we have different prices for schools and other audiences. For example, for disadvantaged audiences we usually hold free sessions. And these Dark Sky® sessions can take place both at the Observatory and throughout the certified territory. We also carry out awareness sessions outside our territory and in areas that do not have a certified sky as a way to raise awareness.
In terms of accessibility, whether in activities within the Observatory or in activities outside, there is a strong concern with accessibility, which leads to almost non-existence of obstacles for those who wish to participate in one of our activities. But the field of accessibility we always have a lot to improve. The improvements include bettering the experience for all audiences, but also accessibility as a broad concept, which is why we still have a lot of work to do in terms of accessibility to the territory, as it is difficult to reach the entire DSA territory by public transport or alternative means to the car. In 2022, DSA has been awarded internationally by Gamechangers® for its work in favor of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Dark Sky® Alqueva is based on a concept and destination brand, Dark Sky®, whose development results from the combination of several concepts and a vision of the concept of sustainability refined over 25 years. Thus, this project to create the DSA destination aims to put into practice a model that allows the implementation of sustainability in a way that is more easily understood and accepted by society. When concepts are very closed in on themselves, hermetic, not only do they fail to reach the general public, but they are more difficult to communicate, even the advantages.
Thus, one way to involve as many people as possible is to publicise the objectives and mission, to involve as many people as possible in the process, whether scientists, students, people who like the subject, but above all people who can take our mission further.
This objective of involving civil society in a broader way and providing benefits to citizens was essentially achieved with the Plan to Combat Light Pollution, developed with funding from TP, which was intended to involve as many people as possible around the our mission, including creating the Dark Sky® Patrol.
In addition to the benefits arising from the reduction of light pollution in various locations as a result of our actions, there are cases that have gone even further. This is the case of Aldeia da Cumeada, site of the Official Observatory, where all the lighting fixtures were changed to a color temperature closer to the ideal, 2700 K, with a substantial reduction in the luminous flux from the time of the observation sessions and overnight. Another great benefit for the general population was the involvement of Dark Sky® in the CIMAC project to improve 55,000 luminaires throughout the Évora district and the placement of remote management in the maximum possible number of luminaires, which allows the reduction, light by light. Dark Sky® mission applied to a wider territory with high benefits for the general population.
The creation of Dark Sky® Alqueva dates back to 2007, and at that time, despite the objective and mission being quite clear, the fact is that initially only civil society contributed because the size of the project needed the contribution of several sectors. Despite the enormous obstacles and the lack of sensitivity for medium and long-term projects, the initial tenacity allowed Dark Sky® Alqueva to become a reality and advanced towards an international certification that recognizes the quality of the night sky. Thus, in April 2011 Dark Sky® Alqueva was awarded certification and became the first Starlight Tourism Destination in the world, which gave it additional visibility and reputation. From that moment on, it was easier to involve the different stakeholders. At a local and regional level, it was important to involve the Municipal Councils and regional public entities, which have responsibilities in the planning plans and directly in the issue of energy management of public lighting, the main focus of light pollution.
At national level, Dark Sky®'s involvement in the Sustainability Plan of Turismo de Portugal was very important, as were the different awareness-raising contacts with various Government Secretariats of State during the several years of development of the project. Also at a national level, the Dark Sky® concept has grown to other regions and the development of two more Dark Sky® destinations in Portugal is underway, which demonstrates its transferability capacity. In addition, since 2015 Dark Sky® Alqueva has grown to Spain and has become part of Spanish municipalities, thus becoming the first cross-border Starlight Tourism Destination in the world.
The existence of the Official Dark Sky® Alqueva Observatory is the result of the support of the Municipality of Reguengos de Monsaraz, a local stakeholder. The involvement of the various stakeholders at different times during the development of the project contributed to its growth.
The creation of Dark Sky® Alqueva results especially from the link between tourism and astronomy and therefore, from the beginning, it involved people from both intervention spectrums. For the creation of Dark Sky® Alqueva as a tourist destination it is necessary to have the knowledge and experience in tourism, especially in terms of management and planning in tourism. For the implementation of the more technical component associated with night protection, people from astrophysics, physics, astronomy and electrical engineering, photography and other specialties were needed.
But this is not a scientific tourism project in which the main target audience is students, schools, universities, etc., but an astrotourism project and therefore its target audience is very wide. Our project aims to create a destination that under a protected night sky can develop a set of tourist activities with a strong sustainable base and with a strong regional identity. The creation of the entire strategy, development and implementation, including all thematic activities associated with the protection of the sky, such as solar and night observation, astrophotography, thematic workshops, specialized training in astrotourism, among others, falls under the Dark Sky® Association. And the rest of the services and activities on offer is developed by an Official Network of Partners that is formed and with the knowledge of the subject so that it can work in a network and provide a diversified offer.
Hence, for this reason, tourism has to work on the scientific component so that sessions and all activities with night sky or solar observations are treated as an experience. Something that inspires and delights but always accompanied with plenty of content and knowledge.
As previously mentioned, the project of creating the Dark Sky® Alqueva (DSA) destination began in 2007 and its first phase ended on December 31, 2022.
Thus, and succinctly, we present the main results:
- Definition of the first territory in 2007;
- Certification of the first 6 municipalities in April 2011, making Dark Sky® Alqueva the first Starlight Tourism Destination in the world,
- Certification of the remaining 5 Portuguese municipalities between 2015 and 2018,
- Integration of Spanish territory in 2015 and certification of the 13 municipalities between 2015 and 2018, becoming the first cross-border Starlight destination,
- Since 2015, the participation with know-how in the project developed by CIMAC to change part of the public lighting in the district of Évora, where we have 6 of our Portuguese municipalities.
- Implementation of the Headquarters and Official Observatory Dark Sky® Alqueva in the former primary school of Aldeia da Cumeada, with support from the Municipality of Reguengos de Monsaraz in September 2016,
- Creation of the Dark Sky® Portugal Network in 2017, which includes, in addition to DSA, two other territories in Portugal,
- The change of all luminaries in Aldeia da Cumeada to 2700 K and with remote management in 2020;
- Creation of Dark Sky® Patrol in 2020;
- Implementation of the Plan to Reduce Public Lighting in Aldeia da Cumeada in 2021;
- Since 2012, 9 Dark Sky® Party Alqueva events with free admission have brought together thousands of people;
- Participation in two cross-border cooperation projects supported by POCTEP, Interreg A.
Regarding awards, since 2013 DSA has received 49 international and 4 national awards, which reward our work in sustainability, tourist experience, astrotourism, as a tourist destination, as an example of responsible tourism, as a sustainable destination, or inclusive diversity and Equity, and many other fields.
Dark Sky® Alqueva (DSA) focused on the sustainable development of a destination using a differentiating element, generating strong interest and international attractiveness of markets and target audiences with purchasing power, while that same differentiating element, the protected night sky, would be the factor that triggered interest in the sustainability element. In 2007, the lack of interest in working on sustainability in all aspects was already notorious.
The Dark Sky® Association did not have the resources that could solve all the issues, however, as a result of work and experience, it had considered a theme that had not been worked on, that is part of the identity of a rural area and that responded to future needs. Now, by using the protected night sky as a differentiating element, we could implement a coherent, complete with medium and long-term strategy in the chosen destination. Having found the element that can bring together the different components and contribute to the consolidation of the objective, allows the development of a project and carries it towards achieving its objectives, continue to grow with high benefits for the region and its citizens. And this truly makes a difference.
This project was created with a 50-year vision and managed to continue on its path, consolidate and grow during a pandemic. Henceforth, in addition to having to be able to make a good choice of the differentiating element, it is also important to be able to work on it for many years without losing focus. The fact that this project was created and implemented within a non-political civil society association makes this possible. Despite being an added value, the truth is that the environment is not favorable to organizations of this nature because they end up showing a different path from the mainstream and with results that should justify some improvements in the way of understanding the importance of organizations born in civil society.
The creation and implementation of Dark Sky® Alqueva followed, and still follows, the Integrated Sustainability Plan for Destinations that was created in 2007, which contains a 50-year vision. This is because a destination has its creation and implementation phase, which we present here, but its success will be measured by how it continues to be developed, how it continues to grow and benefit the region and country where it operates.
The methodology used went through analyzing the territory that would be worked on, especially the impact that was expected to happen with the closure of the dam and creation of the Great Lake of Alqueva. On the other hand, the experience of the European Village Tourism Network project was used to understand the dynamics of the territory, entities and its residents. Which was combined with the experience obtained by participating in the Tourism Sustainability Group, created by the European Commission to develop the Agenda for Sustainability in European Destinations, and which ended up implementing a system of sustainability indicators, ETIS, in which Dark Sky® Alqueva has participated from the beginning.
From this base of information and knowledge, the initial territory was defined and the search for partnerships, which, given the obstacles already explained, were possible and not desirable.
With this phase in progress, the process of certifying the quality of the night sky in the base territory began, putting the Dark Sky® concept in motion. From the conclusion of this procedure, the initial territory grew, and expanded to Spain in 2015. The implementation and consolidation of the Official Observatory Dark Sky® Alqueva, located in Aldeia da Cumeada, closes this phase, phase I, of the project and after a pandemic and a year of war, Dark Sky® Alqueva will enter in 2023 in phase II of development.
Dark Sky® Alqueva is based on two elements that can be transferred, as long as they guarantee the necessary adaptations to the dynamics of the territory and its own identity, its Integrated Sustainability Plan and its concept and Dark Sky® destination brand, in addition to its ATT - Astrotourism® concept. Trademarks and concepts registered so that they can be worked on and improved while always maintaining its base, its structure and justifying the investment.
The Dark Sky® concept and destination brand and the ATT - Astrotourism® concept were created in such a way that they could be transferred to other regions because their work base allows adaptations to the territorial identity that we are working on. There are concepts and brands that result in a certain way in one place but in other regions they may not work because they are more associated with people than its desirability. Despite tourism being very dependent on the human factor, the transferability of a good practice in our view only works if it can be implemented in territories with other dynamics. And this only happens in cases where the basic theme of the concept or brand is based on something transferable and not on feelings, ways of living, or territorial identities.
It is for this reason that two transferability tests of the concept are underway, one in the center and the other in the north of Portugal.
In the first place, we would like to convey that, without a doubt, the civil society, especially organised and non-political civil society, can contribute and fill gaps in the development of medium and long-term projects. Hence, if cooperation is real, based on the needs of the territory and with very clear and challenging objectives and missions, the territory gains in benefits and adds further value.
On the other hand, when a type of pollution which has many more negative impacts than those commonly understood/perceived is not considered, local action which is well thought out and structured in a short, medium and long term Plan, can make a difference and change behaviours. Understanding how to reach people through our project has allowed us to reach further and reach more and more people.
The example of the Dark Sky® Alqueva Official Observatory, which led to a change in behaviour and mentality towards lighting, and thereby gained visibility and a seal from the United Nations World Tourism Organization, also contributes to showing how local solutions can respond to global issues and be replicated.
Light pollution, in addition to all the previously mentioned negative impacts on the economy, environment and society, is what most directly disturbs access to a dark and contrasted sky. Since it is not possible to change mindsets from one day to the next and wait for the culture of light, which excels in excess, to begin to fade, the creation of destinations such as Dark Sky® Alqueva can make a difference. This is because they are destinations where valuing the night sky accompanies the valuing of the territory and its identity, and this work inspires and shows a new way of seeing nature and the role that the night sky can play in each of us. And so with local solutions we intervene in global problems.
