Astronomy tourism in Egypt: a new trend-ancient origin

Abstract EN

Astronomy goes back many centuries throughout the world.

Especially in Egypt its origin appears in the ancient Egyptian texts referring to the surrounding nature, temple orientations, and paintings on the ceilings and walls of tombs, temples, and sarcophagi.

Further, Egypt combines different phenomena that could be seen either with the naked eyes or the telescopes as African skies remain the most accessible and biggest astronomy laboratories as the continent is situated under the clearest such and darkest night sky.

This study explores astronomy tourism, travelling for astronomy-related purposes as a significant tourism phenomenon, though a rising trend is an innovative offer of tourism to Egypt during and after the covid-19 Pandemic.

The principle aims of this study are to give insight into astronomy tourism; explore the current practices and the ongoing construction of astronomy tourism in Egypt; explore the group culture of astronomy tourists, their behaviors and individual travel experience; which kind of astronomy tourism do they prefer; andthe current situation and the prospects for the future development of astronomy tourism in Egypt.

This study made use of mixed methods, which included both qualitative (interviews) and quantitative (Questionnaire) research analyses.

The interviews targeted the tour operators' managers operating this kind of tourism and the admins of online travel groups to gain an in-depth understanding of the current situation of astronomy tourism in Egypt and its future developing prospects.

Other interviews were held with the directors of observatories and astronomy societies in Egypt to explore the current practices and the ongoing construction of Astronomy tourism in Egypt.

The questionnaire targeted the international and domestic tourists, utilizing the Leisure Motivation Scale (LMS) to make an assessment of the most influential factors that draw tourists to astronomy activities and events.

Based on the results, astronomy tourism in Egypt should gain more attention from stakeholders to be promoted and developed as a new trend in Egypt.