快速增长的光污染使得星空在全世界范围内变得越来越罕见。目前，全球至少有80%的人口生活在受光污染的天空下，这一比例在北美和欧洲更是飙升至99%。根据发表在《科学》杂志上的一项研究，在2011年至2022年期间，夜空亮度每年大约增加10%。为了应对这种无处不在的人造光，越来越多的人开始寻找自然黑暗的角落，这一趋势在新冠疫情期间加速发展，当时封锁减少了当地的光污染并促进了在线天文学兴趣的增长。

这一趋势推动了“天文旅游”和“夜间旅游”的商业繁荣。缤客（Booking.com）在2024年进行的一项调查显示，62%的游客有兴趣访问光污染极低的目的地。为了利用这一需求，酒店服务业开始提供观星设施，如配备望远镜、驻店天文学家以及月光冥想等服务。对观星兴趣的激增还导致向非营利组织“暗天国际”（DarkSky International）提交的认证申请大幅增加，申请数量从2023年的16份增长到仅2026年上半年的28份。

由于观星需要地理上的孤立，天文旅游为寻求新收入来源的偏远乡村地区提供了至关重要的经济推动力，例如印度喜马拉雅山脉的马安村天文度假村或沙特阿拉伯的阿尔乌拉。除了经济利益外，这些旅行还为游客提供了现代城市生活中所缺失的罕见宁静和视角。科学研究支持了这些体验，表明仰望星空所激发出的敬畏感与更低的压力水平、更高的幸福感以及深刻的安宁感息息相关。

Rapidly growing light pollution has made starry night skies an increasingly rare sight globally. Currently, at least 80% of the global population lives under light-polluted skies, a statistic that climbs to 99% in both North America and Europe. According to a study published in the journal Science, the night sky became approximately 10% brighter annually between 2011 and 2022. In response to this pervasive artificial light, a growing number of people are seeking out pockets of natural darkness, a trend that accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic when lockdowns reduced local light pollution and fostered online interest in astronomy.

This trend has fueled a commercial boom in "astrotourism" and "noctourism." A 2024 survey conducted by Booking.com revealed that 62% of travelers are interested in visiting destinations with minimal light pollution. To capitalize on this demand, hospitality businesses are offering stargazing amenities like telescope access, in-house astronomers, and moonlit meditation. The surge in interest has also led to a significant increase in certification applications to the non-profit DarkSky International, which grew from 16 applications in 2023 to 28 in the first half of 2026 alone.

Because stargazing requires geographical isolation, astrotourism provides a vital economic boost to remote, rural areas seeking new revenue sources, such as the Astro Retreat in the Indian village of Maan or Al Ula in Saudi Arabia. Beyond economic benefits, these trips offer visitors a rare stillness and sense of perspective absent in modern urban life. Scientific studies support these experiences, showing that the feelings of awe inspired by looking up at the stars are linked to lower stress levels, improved well-being, and a profound sense of tranquillity.

Source: The brightest tourism trend can be found in the darkest places

Subtitle: Stargazing is an illuminating business

Dateline: Jul 09, 2026 06:51 AM