The Astrotourism Place Lab of Gúdar-Javalambre has been officially established within the framework of the MedSkyTour project, bringing together public authorities, tourism businesses, astronomy experts and local stakeholders to co-create the next generation of sustainable astrotourism experiences in one of Europe’s most renowned dark-sky destinations.
Located in the province of Teruel, Spain, the Gúdar-Javalambre comarca is widely recognised for its exceptional night skies and holds both Starlight Reserve and Starlight Destination certifications. These distinctions reflect years of commitment to preserving the nocturnal environment while developing high-quality tourism experiences linked to astronomy and nature.
The newly established Place Lab aims to build on this strong foundation by creating a collaborative ecosystem where local actors work together to transform the dark sky into a driver of sustainable territorial development. Through the Living Lab methodology promoted by MedSkyTour, participants will jointly design, test and validate innovative tourism services that contribute to local economic development while safeguarding the natural environment.
During the first co-creation sessions, stakeholders identified significant opportunities to expand the existing astrotourism offer by targeting specific visitor segments, including astrophotography enthusiasts, amateur astronomers, families, and travellers seeking immersive nature-based experiences. Participants agreed that tailored and experience-driven products have the potential to increase the attractiveness of the destination and encourage longer visitor stays throughout the year.
The discussions also highlighted the important role that astrotourism can play in reducing seasonality. Night-time activities can complement existing tourism products such as hiking, cycling, gastronomy and cultural heritage experiences, creating added value for both visitors and local businesses.
A strong commitment to reducing light pollution emerged as another key priority. Building on the awareness created through the Starlight certification process, stakeholders discussed further measures to improve outdoor lighting practices and preserve the quality of the night sky as a shared natural resource. Municipalities across the comarca have already implemented actions such as adjusting colour temperatures, reducing lighting intensity and improving light directionality to minimise skyglow.
The Place Lab also served as a platform for creativity and innovation. Participants generated a wide range of ideas for future astrotourism services and explored new forms of collaboration between tourism providers, accommodation businesses, local authorities and scientific institutions.
The shared vision developed by the Place Lab is ambitious: to position Gúdar-Javalambre as a leading dark-sky destination in the Euro-Mediterranean region, where sustainable tourism supports rural development, strengthens local communities and contributes to the long-term protection of natural heritage.
Among the next planned actions are the collection and validation of new service ideas, the organisation of follow-up workshops, the development of pilot projects, and the creation of a regional astrotourism itinerary connecting the comarca’s unique astronomical, natural and cultural assets.
The Place Lab will also benefit from synergies with major initiatives and organisations, including the Javalambre Astrophysical Observatory (OAJ), Fundación Starlight, the Government of Aragón tourism network, and the wider MedSkyTour partnership, enabling the exchange of knowledge and best practices across the Mediterranean region.
Through collaboration, innovation and a shared commitment to preserving dark skies, the Gúdar-Javalambre Astrotourism Place Lab represents another important step towards building a more sustainable and competitive astrotourism sector in Europe.
