Western Cape positions astro tourism as a new growth frontier with the graduation of specialist night-sky guides
Media Release by Dr Ivan Meyer, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism
The Western Cape Government is strengthening its position as a leader in niche and sustainable tourism with the graduation of a new cohort of Astro Night Sky Tourist Guides, Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, said today.
Speaking at the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism and Field Guides Association of Southern Africa Astro Night Sky Specialisation Graduation Ceremony at the !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre, Minister Meyer congratulated the graduates for investing in specialised skills that will help grow the province’s visitor economy.
“Tourism is integral to growth and job creation,” Minister Meyer said. “By choosing to specialise and to keep learning, these graduates are helping the Western Cape move from a tourism strategy based on volume to one focused on value, sustainability, and inclusive economic growth”.
Tourism remains a priority sector for the Western Cape economy. In 2023, the sector contributed an estimated R28.6 billion in Gross Value Added and supported more than 257 000 jobs across the province, including guiding, hospitality, and transport services.
Minister Meyer noted that global travel trends are shifting away from traditional “sun, sea and scenery” offerings towards experience-based tourism that emphasises knowledge, authenticity and storytelling. As a result, the Western Cape Government is actively investing in niche and special-interest tourism, including heritage, nature-based, wellness and astro tourism.
“Astro tourism, particularly in the Karoo, the West Coast and the interior, allows us to turn our dark skies and low light pollution into a powerful economic asset,” he said. “It encourages off-peak travel, draws visitors into smaller towns and creates new income opportunities in rural communities”.
The Minister emphasised that skills and professional standards are key to unlocking this potential.
“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,” Minister Meyer added. “These graduates are the bridge between complex science, culture, and compelling storytelling. They turn a night sky into a lifelong memory for visitors”.
The astro guiding programme is the result of a partnership between the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) and Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA), aimed at building future-ready tourism skills and maintaining professional guiding standards.
Minister Meyer said the collaboration demonstrates how a tourism strategy can be translated into real economic impact on the ground.
“To our graduates: you are now part of a tourism future that is smarter, more sustainable, and more inclusive. Use these skills well as ambassadors for our province and for the protection of our dark skies,” he said.
Media Enquiries:
Daniel Johnson
Media Liaison Officer to Provincial Minister, Dr Ivan Meyer
Cell: 079 990 4231
Email: Daniel.Johnson@westerncape.gov.za