Yazd to spice up astronomical tourism

TEHERAN – Astronomical tourism is slated to be developed in the city of Bahabad in central Yazd province, a local tourism official said.

The region’s tourist infrastructure will be improved in the near future, Alireza Kazemi said on Saturday.

In addition to its location as one of the darkest viewpoints in West Asia, Bahabad has many natural tourist areas, low light pollution and little dust in the air, making it a great place for stargazing, the official added.

By organizing astronomical tours, the region could attract astronomical groups and night sky enthusiasts and thus boost tourism, he noted.

Astronomical tourism represents a less studied segment of sustainable tourism where dark night skies are an underlying resource, and this tourism branch could lead to sustainable development in rural areas.

Modern life, cities that never sleep, air pollution and industrial dust have ruined the human experience of the starry velvet nights that our ancestors praised. In modern cities, the chance to see a sky full of stars is rare, but there are some places in the world that are still safe from human reach.

Illuminated only by the stars and with a clear sky, the Iranian deserts are dream locations for astronomy enthusiasts and sky lovers to experience dark night observatories.

The country is also home to several historical caravanserais that host astronomical tourists from ancient times to the present, who are being restored and made easier for receiving guests.

Astronomy has a long and rich history among the Iranians. Stars have fascinated people for ages, while some have worshiped them, Iranians have studied them and there are world-famous Iranian scientists in the field like Nasir ad-Din Tusi, the founder of the Maragheh Observatory, an astronomical observatory founded in 1259, with a library that contains the once supposed to contain over 400,000 volumes of astronomical and astrological literature.

Some countries in the world have used their regional potential to develop the tourism industry in this special area and to present themselves as an attractive travel destination for astronomy trips.

For several years, Chile has been able to become a leader in astronomical tourism by focusing on this type of tourism. Countries like Canada, Sweden, Russia, India and China are also successful in this industry, and many tourists from all over the world travel to these countries every year.

With its winding streets, a forest of badgirs (wind catchers), adobe houses, atmospheric alleys and a centuries-old history, Yazd is a delightful place to linger and is described by almost all travelers as a ‘not to be missed’ partner in the region. The oasis city is wedged between the northern Dasht-e Kavir and the southern Dasht-e Lut on a flat plain surrounded by mountains.

The Yazd Jameh Mosque, the Dowlatabad Garden, the Yazd Atash Behram, also known as Atashkadeh-e Yazd, Towers of Silence and the adjacent desert landscape are among the sights.

ABU / MG