Carnarvon Astro Guides Win Big at Northern Cape Tourism Service Excellence Awards
The Carnarvon Astro Guides have made a stellar impression at the Northern Cape Tourism Service Excellence Awards, held in Carnarvon on Thursday, 26 September 2024, as part of the World Tourism Day celebrations in the province. The prestigious event, graced by Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille, celebrated exceptional contributions to the tourism industry, with the Astro Guides taking home top honors in the category “Youth in Tourism”.
The guides, known for their unparalleled expertise and dedication to promoting astro-tourism in the region, have become local heroes. Their captivating stargazing tours offer visitors a chance to experience the Northern Cape’s breathtaking night skies, making the area a key destination for both amateur and professional astronomers alike. Their win at the provincial awards highlights the growing recognition of the role astro-tourism plays in bolstering local economies and fostering cultural and scientific appreciation.
During her address, Minister de Lille emphasized the importance of youth involvement in tourism, praising the Astro Guides as shining examples of how young people can drive innovation and sustainability in the industry. She applauded the Northern Cape’s rich offerings, noting that initiatives like the Astro Guides are crucial for promoting South Africa’s unique heritage. “Our aim is to grow the astro-tourism niche market growing and leverage tourism experiences and offerings from the international investment towards the SKA in South Africa,” says De Lille.
The Carnarvon Astro Guides’ achievement as the best tour guides in the province, described as an award “for setting the benchmark in service excellence, contributing to the industry, investing in skills provision leading by example and for ensuring that each guest is given a world-class experience in the Northern Cape”, is a testament to the province’s commitment to showcasing its natural beauty and scientific relevance. This accolade not only elevates the status of the Astro Guides but also shines a spotlight on the Northern Cape as a premier astro-tourism destination, contributing to sustainable tourism growth in the region.
Brandon Booysen, one of the six trained Astro Guides, says: “This means a lot to us, and we feel immensely proud to not only be accredited tour guides, but also award winning tour guides. It has not even been two years since we started this journey and we have already won an award! This motivates us to do more, work harder to attract more tourism and tourists, and the future is looking bright for us.”
His colleague, Amy-Lee Visagie, echoes his sentiments: “It is an overwhelming feeling of pride and honour. We came from nothing to winning an award and it is amazing. We are grateful for receiving this and hopefully it opens more doors for us. It shows that hard word does pay off,” says Visagie.
Chrislin de Koker, a fellow Astro Guide says: “Winning an award is one of the greatest achievements so far. Going forward I can use my award as an inspiration to young people that has the exact dream as the one that I have. Helping them see that anything is possible if you believe in yourself, believe in your dreams and staying focused.”
With this award, the Astro Guides have solidified their position as leaders in the field, inspiring more youth to get involved in tourism and science outreach. Their win aligns with the broader goals of the #YouthInTourism initiative, which seeks to empower the next generation to lead South Africa’s tourism industry into the future.
As the Northern Cape continues to evolve as a tourism hotspot, the Carnarvon Astro Guides are proving that the sky’s the limit for those passionate about sharing the wonders of the universe.
