Dr Daniel Cunnama

Highlights from the National Astro-Tourism Broader Stakeholder Workshop 2-3 April 2025 | Carnarvon, Northern Cape Province One of the key presenters at the workshop, Dr Daniel Cunnama, Science Engagement Astronomer at the National Research Foundation's South African Astronomical Observatory, delivered a talk titled "Introduction to Astronomy, its Significance in South Africa, and the Importance of Dark Skies/Accreditation and Mitigating Light Pollution." Echoing the broader themes of the day, Dr Cunnama highlighted South Africa’s unique position in the global astronomy landscape. “South Africa is home to world-class astronomy facilities such as the Southern African Large Telescope and the Square Kilometre Array project, with its precursor, MeerKAT,” he said. He also pointed to Sutherland as a successful astro-tourism destination, offering both daytime observatory tours and nighttime stargazing experiences. “Astro-tourism diversifies South Africa’s tourism portfolio beyond wildlife and culture, while also benefiting rural economies and conserving natural environments.” #AstroTourism #DSTI #SATourism #Astronomy #ScienceAndTourism #TourismInnovation #DestinationDevelopment #CommunityTourism