A New Milestone: In 2026, the Starlight Foundation Will Organize the First Regional Starlight Meeting in the Americas, in Villa de Leyva (Colombia), Establishing Two Annual Starlight Gatherings on Different Continents

The Starlight Foundation has announced that the 8th International Starlight Meeting and the 6th Starlight Guides and Monitors Meeting will take place in the second half of October 2025 (exact dates to be confirmed) in Soria, Spain. The specific venue will be announced soon.

This year's selection of Castilla y León as the host region follows a joint bid by the City Council of Soria, part of the Soria Starlight Reserve, and the City Council of Borobia, representing Borobia Starlight Village. The event also enjoys strong institutional support from the Provincial Council of Soria and the regional government of Castilla y León.

Soria: A Leading Starlight Province

In recent years, Soria has stood out for its strong commitment to preserving its night skies. In 2023, the province was declared a Starlight Reserve, becoming the first in Spain to receive this distinction in its entirety. This certification recognizes protected natural areas committed to defending the quality of the night sky and access to starlight.

The choice of Soria reflects its ongoing efforts in sky protection and astrotourism development. Notably, the province recently hosted the Congress on the Great Spanish Eclipse. The active support of local governments and businesses for Starlight principles has been crucial. Soria also boasts other certified areas, such as the Starlight Tourist Destinations of Muriel Viejo and, more recently, Tierras Altas de Soria, highlighting the quality of its skies and its potential for star tourism as a viable development option.

A Reference Point for Astrotourism

The International Starlight Meeting is an annual event that brings together territories and accommodations certified by Starlight, as well as professionals trained by the Foundation and experts related to the Starlight movement. The main goal is to exchange experiences, discuss astrotourism, and set guidelines for the future of this sustainable tourism model.

Previous Starlight events have benefited from the valuable support of UN Tourism, an organization that promotes the conservation of natural environments and the development of sustainable tourism.

8th International Starlight Meeting in Soria

The meeting will feature conferences, round tables, and practical workshops covering topics such as the values of the Starlight seal, creation of new sky-related tourism products, education, training, astronomical outreach, and more.

Once again, a space will be provided for participating destinations to showcase their astrotourism products and experiences. Attendees will also enjoy unique tourism experiences and the wonderful natural and cultural resources offered by the host territory.

New Development: First Starlight Meeting in the Americas

For the first time, the Starlight Foundation will organize a Regional Starlight Meeting in the Americas. The Starlight America Meeting 2026 will be held in March 2026 in Villa de Leyva (Colombia), a territory certified as a Starlight Village, which already has a notable network of Starlight astronomical monitors.

Villa de Leyva was chosen for its strong commitment to astronomy outreach and astrotourism development. In addition to preserving its historical richness and natural environment, this destination offers visitors an authentic experience that values its cultural and scientific heritage.

Boosting Sustainable Tourism

The 8th International Starlight Meeting in Soria in 2025 and the first Starlight Meeting in the Americas in 2026 represent opportunities to promote astrotourism worldwide—a responsible tourism model that combines sky observation with related activities, fostering local economic development and environmental conservation.

The Starlight Foundation invites all those interested in astronomical tourism and night sky protection to participate in these meetings, which promise to be milestones in promoting sustainable tourism practices and valuing our starry skies.

For more information about the event and registration, please visit the official International Starlight Meeting page.

About the Starlight Foundation

Established by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias in 2009, the Starlight Foundation aims to protect the night sky, promote the cultural dissemination of astronomy, and boost astrotourism as a tool for sustainable development.