With global demand rising for immersive, nature-based travel experiences, a new training programme in Saint Lucia is preparing locals to tap into astro-tourism, a growing travel niche.
LUNAA Journeys, founded by Saint Lucian astrophysicist Cheyenne Polius, has launched the Stargazing Facilitator Training Programme, said to be the first of its kind in the Caribbean, to equip participants with the skills to design and lead stargazing experiences for both visitors and residents.
Supported by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), the four-week programme blends self-paced online learning with practical, in-person sessions. Last week’s training took place at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, while this week’s will be hosted in Anse La Raye, offering participants the opportunity to apply their skills under Saint Lucia’s skies.
Trainees are learning far more than how to operate telescopes. The curriculum covers seasonal sky navigation, cultural astronomy and storytelling, hospitality and event management, and planning and marketing stargazing events.
The programme is also designed to connect astronomy with the broader tourism industry, a link Polius says has untapped potential in the region.
“Astro-tourism as a whole is a growing global trend. It’s something that countries all over the world are picking up on and tapping into or even expanding if they already have something existing,” Polius told St Lucia Times. “The reason I think it’s gonna be the next big thing for Saint Lucia is because we have absolutely beautiful night skies, and we have what we call low light pollution. So it’s something where we have some of the best skies in the world, and it doesn’t take long to get to a dark sky location.”
Astro-tourism, already popular in destinations from Chile’s Atacama Desert to New Zealand’s Dark Sky Reserves, is still a largely undeveloped sector in the Caribbean. Advocates believe the region’s naturally dark skies, combined with its scenic landscapes, position it to compete on the global stage.
By the end of the course, LUNAA Journeys aims to certify at least 12 Saint Lucian facilitators capable of hosting stargazing tours. Graduates will also enter a pilot phase, leading practice tours for guests and invited stakeholders to gain hands-on experience.
Polius stresses that the programme is just one part of a much broader mission.
“LUNAA Journeys isn’t just about adding events or school workshops,” she said. “It’s about breaking barriers between the Caribbean and the international space sector — showing people that they can take their seat at that global table, that their voice matters, and that there are real opportunities in astronomy and space for them.”
Organisers say the initiative could help diversify Saint Lucia’s tourism offering, create income opportunities, and inspire a greater public interest in astronomy. The long-term vision includes expanding the programme across the Caribbean, building a network of trained guides who can make the region a destination for world-class stargazing.
