16 | LUXlife Magazine Best Astrotourism Travel & Events Company 2025 – North America Astrotourism is an emerging tourism industry sector that offers an exclusive intersection of science, culture, and sustainability. The sector has gained popularity recently, providing tourists with unparalleled opportunities to witness rare and magnificent celestial events. Cliff Valley Astronomy of New Brunswick, Canada is a leading company in the astrotourism sector, offering travellers memorable experiences that are truly out of this world. We learn more from Founder Stéphane Picard, below. Cliff Valley Astronomy was founded in 2022, born from the vision of its founder, Stéphane Picard. An avid and proficient astronomer and astrophotographer, Stéphane identified a niche market for stargazing events and private star parties to allow people to see the night sky through the eyes of a well-seasoned astronomer. With this vision in mind, Stéphane established Cliff Valley Astronomy and began offering Private Star Parties for small groups. Today, Cliff Valley Astronomy is a market leader and the only mobile astronomy service provider in Canada. It brings high-end telescopes and equipment to provide a fun and educational experience—aptly labelled ‘edutainment.’ Stéphane leverages over 25 years of business background to lead Cliff Valley Astronomy, combining this experience with his deep passion for astronomy and astrophotography to dominate what has been identified as the fastest-growing sector in the global travel and tourism industry. In its first year of operation, Cliff Valley Astronomy saw significant success in its star party services and quickly pivoted towards positioning itself as a leader in astrotourism. A proud member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Stéphane has taken advantage of his geographic location. Although small in size and population, New Brunswick is 85% forested with vast untouched wilderness and it has four of Canada’s 23 certified dark-sky sites. This realisation inspired Cliff Valley Astronomy to create the first-ever network of tourism operators in Canada focused on rural and coastal areas, where starry skies are abundant. Beginning with just four partners in its first year, the network expanded to 30 members in 2024, including New Brunswick’s 11 provincial parks. Now branded as Dark Sky Destinations, this network has grown to more than 40 members, with a goal of reaching 75 by year’s end. Having achieved remarkable success since its inception, Cliff Valley Astronomy continues to reach new heights with a focus on three core pillars: cutting-edge equipment, expert knowledge, and exceptional service delivery. Each session is thoughtfully designed to perfectly balance showcasing diverse celestial wonders while educating enthusiasts on proper methodologies. This comprehensive approach guarantees not only an enjoyable experience but also deepens clients’ understanding and appreciation of the cosmos. “As we experience astronomical growth, we are balancing our focus to remain true to our tagline and mission: ‘Make Memories Out of This World!’” says Stéphane. “Whether it is a Star Party for a child’s birthday, a festival celebrating local culture, or travelling the world for trips, no one will ever forget our goal will always remain to make memorable life experiences. We still get immense satisfaction when a stargazing client gets teary-eyed and emotional at our telescopes.” With growth comes adversity, and Cliff Valley Astronomy is no stranger to the challenges of operating within the astrotourism sector. The biggest obstacle is demonstrating to tourism agencies and governments the immense opportunities and economic power surrounding astrotourism, which is still a novel concept in Canada, though it has been introduced to Europe, New Zealand, and parts of the United States with significant success and impact. Alongside this, light pollution is becoming an increasing hurdle to overcome for the astrotourism industry as a whole. Dark skies are becoming a precious asset as global light pollution impacts the world’s ability to see a star-filled night sky. With this in mind, Cliff Valley Astronomy strives to address sustainability on a global scale to make starry nights accessible to all. This forward-thinking approach to operations has enabled Cliff Valley Astronomy to succeed in the emerging sector of astrotourism. “2025 is a critical year for Cliff Valley Astronomy as we expand across Canada and beyond,” Stéphane announces. “The further we delve into executing our growth plan, the more excited we become as we get to see the most exciting tourism operators, communities, regions, and beauty around the world. If astronomy is looking at objects beyond the horizon, astrotourism brings into focus what lies within it – nature, landmarks, history, culture, and people. It’s one aspect every human shares: we see the same moon. Let our minds open and tap into our innermost curiosity as we witness the beauty and vastness of the universe. We want to share this with everyone.” Contact: Stéphane Picard Company: Cliff Valley Astronomy Web Address: www.cliffvalleyastronomy.com
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUyMDQwMA==