DARK SKY ECOTOURISM’s primary objective was to provide accessible learning resources to enable VET educators (TG1), rural tourism SMEs (TG2), and wider tourism stakeholders (TG3/TG4) to engage with and develop Dark Sky Ecotourism in rural communities around Europe. In doing so this project wanted to: - Adapt vocational education and training to labour market needs, the European Tourism sector has been crippled by Covid19 and new/innovative approaches are needed to rebuild, reboot and refocus for the future - Help remote/rural market-responsive and dynamic regional tourism economies to emerge on the footing of Dark Sky Ecotourism - Increase the sustainability and resilience of the future European Tourism Economy – Facilitate a more equitable share of Europe’s future post pandemic tourism opportunities - Rejuvenate rural, remote European economies and position them in a better way for further sustainable development and innovation now and in the future. At its core, the project sought to provide accessible learning resources, enabling vocational education and training (VET) educators, rural tourism SMEs and wider tourism stakeholders to effectively engage with and foster the development of Dark Sky Ecotourism within communities.
This Dark Sky Ecotourism (DSE) project was developed as an innovative vocational education project for rural European tourism businesses. We have addressed the needs of: TG1 VET (and HE) TOURISM EDUCATION PROVIDERS – The project equipped education providers with VET content that adapted to the market needs. The project helped remote/rural businesses and regions to create DSE products. The project content inspired and informed companies, communities and others. · TG2 REMOTE/RURAL TOURISM BUSINESS OWNERS (EXISTING AND PROSPECTIVE) - the need for fast track (they are time and resource poor) innovation to assess and action their potential for dark sky ecotourism development. DSE opened up a new field of learning about creating new and innovative tourism products. It was a new training product that enhanced the educational reach of the tourism industry. · TG3 TOURISM ECOSYSTEMS (tourism actors and enablers including tourism development stakeholders, DMOs, tourism boards, tourism networks etc) Their need for high impact and scalable initiatives which contribute to a more educated and sustainable national and international tourism sector. SMS´s were enabled to build on the potential of DSE and become innovators in their area.