Tenerife’s Teide National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – has been recently awarded the “Starlight Tourist Destination” and “Starlight Reserve” certificates by the Starlight Foundation, given to places with low light pollution and pristine night-sky conditions, which are considered ideal for stargazing.

A “Starlight Tourist Destination” is carefully chosen due to its excellent conditions for stargazing and for offering tourist activities related to this natural resource. On the other hand, a “Starlight Reserve” is a place with a commitment to protect the quality of the night sky and the access to star light. With these credentials, Tenerife strengthens its position as one of the best locations on the planet for stargazing due to its clear dark skies, high altitude and its location close to the Equator – far from tropical storms.

The island is used to playing host to “astro tourists” thanks to events such as the Starmus Festival, the next edition of which will be held in 2014 (dates to be confirmed), and activities including guided stargazing excursions and tours to the Teide Observatory (2,390 metres high). Also, Mount Teide’s cable car has recently introduced a new experience which includes stargazing at sunset while enjoying dinner at 2,000 metres above sea level.

Mr. Carlos Alonso, President of the Tenerife Island Government, comments: “Astronomy is becoming a more and more popular activity in Tenerife and we are extremely happy that the Teide National Park has achieved the ‘Starlight’ seal, recognising the excellent quality of the island’s skies, which keep attracting tourists and scientists from around the world.”

The Starlight Foundation is the body responsible for the operational management of the ‘Starlight Initiative’, an international campaign launched in 2007 aiming at protecting the quality of the night sky and the general right to contemplate the stars. This initiative is backed by organisations such as UNESCO, the IAU (International Astronomical Union) and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

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Notes for Editors:

1. The Tenerife Tourism Corporation is a membership led independent body, supported by the public and private sectors, which markets Tenerife overseas as a tourist destination. A portfolio of five specific brands has been created: Golf, Nature, Select, Convention Bureau and Film Commission.

2. For general tourism information on Tenerife please visit: www.webtenerife.co.uk.

3. For media enquiries, please contact Cristina Cunchillos or Richard Hume at Hume Whitehead: cristina@humewhitehead.co.uk / 0771 049 0570; richard@humewhitehead.co.uk / 0845 498 9981.