Saint Lucia is now home to the Caribbean’s first-ever stargazing training programme, a groundbreaking initiative designed to equip locals with the knowledge and practical skills to lead immersive, culturally rich stargazing experiences for visitors and communities alike.
Launched by LUNAA Journeys, a local astronomy business, the training aims to place Saint Lucia at the forefront of a growing global travel trend: astro-tourism – an emerging niche where tourists seek out dark skies and unforgettable celestial views. From constellations and planets to myths and legends passed down through generations, the programme blends science with storytelling, creating a truly unique offering for the island and the wider region.
This pilot cohort brings together aspiring stargazing facilitators from across the island, training them in telescope handling, celestial navigation, event management, and customer service. The goal is to empower local individuals to run their own immersive stargazing events and contribute to a new kind of sustainable tourism in Saint Lucia.
“This programme was designed to be so much more than just another training” says Cheyenne Polius, Astrophysicist and Founder of LUNAA Journeys. “It’s about reconnecting with our skies bringing science and culture together, and building a new avenue for tourism in the Caribbean that is educational, awe-inspiring and community-led.
As interest in space and science continues to rise globally, destinations with naturally dark skies like Saint Lucia have a unique opportunity to become leaders in this sector. With this training programme, Saint Lucia becomes a trailblazer in developing locally-led astro-tourism experiences.
The programme is fully funded by the International Astronomical Union’s Office of Astronomy for Development (AU OAD) and features contributions from international astronomers, tourism professionals and local sponsors. The programme runs through August as the trainees work towards becoming LUNAA Journeys-certified Stargazing Facilitator.