During the summer season, AlUla Governorate is witnessing an increasing demand for meditation and stargazing experiences, benefiting from its clear skies and low light pollution levels, which provides an ideal environment for observing celestial bodies and enhances its position as a global destination for astro-tourism.

Event organizers explained that the offered experiences range from meditation sessions, stargazing and observing planets and galaxies using telescopes, night tours with scientific explanations, and astrophotography, in addition to showcasing the local heritage related to stars and navigation methods, in an experience that blends knowledge with enjoying nature.

Scientific and Interactive Activities and Programs

The organizers of the astronomical tours indicated that they are popular among locals, visitors, and astronomy enthusiasts, as they allow participants to observe astronomical phenomena, learn about celestial bodies, and engage in practical astrophotography experiences, contributing to enriching tourism options during the summer season.

In the same context, the 'Manarat AlUla' team of the Royal Commission for AlUla Governorate accompanies these activities, overseeing various astronomical programs and events, and contributes to spreading awareness of astronomy and enhancing tourism experiences related to stargazing and cosmic phenomena through scientific and interactive content that enriches the visitor experience and links scientific knowledge with the cultural heritage of the governorate.

International Accreditation and Community Participation

AlUla received international accreditation as a dark sky destination from DarkSky International, becoming the first of its kind in the Middle East, allowing visitors to clearly see the Milky Way, planets, and stars, and participate in telescope observation tours under the supervision of specialists, in addition to listening to Bedouin stories associated with the stars, in an experience that reflects the historical relationship between the people of AlUla and the sky across generations.

Sustainable Tourism Development

It is worth mentioning that these experiences reflect AlUla's direction towards developing sustainable tourism products that invest in its natural and environmental assets, and offer unique experiences combining contemplation, knowledge, and entertainment, thereby enhancing its status as a global destination for astro-tourism, and giving locals and visitors the opportunity to explore the beauty of the universe in one of the purest natural environments for stargazing.