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TRAINING COURSE FOR ASTRONOMIC STARLIGHT GUIDES
Published on 17 December 2019
Spain
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
PROBLEM AND CONTEXT:
The Astrotourism sector is starging as a trend in few locations at World level,
The main concern is to be carried out by professionals with a proper training capacity as well as to be done in a Certified location for stargazing with the best conditions, in order to duly accomplish with the tourists expectations
REACHING OBJECTIVES AND IMPLEMENTATION:
The goal is to increase the capacity building at pro-level, receiving a 60h certified training sessions by qualified teachers on astrotourism in a complete week during mornings, afternoons and evenings, including practical observations. The course is organized by Avila County Council and Starlight Foundation,
STAKEHOLDERS AND BENEFICIARIES:
The training course is set for 40 attendants, and gives the opportunity to tourism guides, astronomers as well as
proper guides, but also Hostelery owners since they can now offer a range of activities linked with the dark sky as for example "thematic dinners" or night life audition, candle concert or even sportive events taking place during night time. The core business is the stargazing but complementary activity should be offered and known by guides to drive through the tourist depending on the full moon, weather conditions, migrating birds season.
The Astrotourism sector is starging as a trend in few locations at World level,
The main concern is to be carried out by professionals with a proper training capacity as well as to be done in a Certified location for stargazing with the best conditions, in order to duly accomplish with the tourists expectations
REACHING OBJECTIVES AND IMPLEMENTATION:
The goal is to increase the capacity building at pro-level, receiving a 60h certified training sessions by qualified teachers on astrotourism in a complete week during mornings, afternoons and evenings, including practical observations. The course is organized by Avila County Council and Starlight Foundation,
STAKEHOLDERS AND BENEFICIARIES:
The training course is set for 40 attendants, and gives the opportunity to tourism guides, astronomers as well as
proper guides, but also Hostelery owners since they can now offer a range of activities linked with the dark sky as for example "thematic dinners" or night life audition, candle concert or even sportive events taking place during night time. The core business is the stargazing but complementary activity should be offered and known by guides to drive through the tourist depending on the full moon, weather conditions, migrating birds season.
Resources needed
Financial funds for the Astronomic Starlight Guides: 15.000 € / 40 pax
Additional logistic financial needs (course room, projector hire, coffe breaks, meals, bus for practical sessions) : 150€ /pax
As human resource need: 1 devoted person for coordination of the registrations, general coordination
Additional logistic financial needs (course room, projector hire, coffe breaks, meals, bus for practical sessions) : 150€ /pax
As human resource need: 1 devoted person for coordination of the registrations, general coordination
Evidence of success
40 attendance seats where covered in 72 hours, a reserve list of additional 27 people was registered. (Actually several people are asking to repeat the course in 2020 to provide professionalism to the sector as basement for the stargazing - Astrotourism development
100% of the attendants finished the course and obtained their title and certification
100% of the attendants finished the course and obtained their title and certification
Potential for learning or transfer
This good practice could be transferred to other european regions as a good example of proffesionalization of astrotourism sector, is very important to offer to the market CERTIFIED LOCATIONS as well as activities to be conducted by CERTIFIED PRFFESSIONALS, a formal capacity building is needed in all those locations that want to become a complementary activity for tourism sector.
The course should be located in a place with good stargazing conditions
The course make sense to be conducted where a certification is already achieved or is planned to be achieved in the coming future
It is important a good combitnation between theoretical and practical seasons, as well as a high level of teachers as it was done in Avila in the first edition, only professionalism could turn into a good experience: not all the skyes are the same neither the
The course should be located in a place with good stargazing conditions
The course make sense to be conducted where a certification is already achieved or is planned to be achieved in the coming future
It is important a good combitnation between theoretical and practical seasons, as well as a high level of teachers as it was done in Avila in the first edition, only professionalism could turn into a good experience: not all the skyes are the same neither the
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
AVILA COUNTY COUNCIL
Spain
Castilla y León
Contact
European Projects Senior Officer