The Municipality of Mértola and the Aldeia do Alentejo Tourism Network – Genuineland (Management Association of the Dark Sky® Alqueva certified territory) sign, on the 28th of April, a cooperation agreement to expand the Dark Sky® Alqueva certification to the municipality of Mértola.
A Dark Sky® Alqueva Reservation, of which the Municipalities of Portel, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Alandroal, Mourão, Moura and Barrancos, was recognized in 2011 as the first reserve in the world to obtain certification Starlight Tourism Destination awarded by UNESCO and the World Tourism Organization.
The certification project developed by Genuineland – Aldeia do Alentejo Tourism Network also includes the implementation of the “Rota Dark Sky® Alqueva”, which concentrates a set of services and activities related to astrological tourism, developed by companies in the areas of accommodation, catering and tourist entertainment, certified by the Dark Sky Reservation.
The Route also promotes a set of activities to promote and know the "astrological heritage" of the territory, as well as awareness-raising actions for the minimization of light pollution.
This membership of the Municipality of Mértola is part of the municipal strategy of structuring niche tourism products with high potential for advancement in national and international markets. The territory of Mértola, due to its extension, low population density, low urban density, natural resources and climate, has a high potential for certification starlight.
The cooperation agreement provides for the organization and presentation of the application file of the municipality of Mértola for Certification Starlight Tourism Destination, the development of a plan to combat light pollution, the elaboration of a plan to integrate the territory of Mértola into the “Rota Dark Sky® Alqueva”, the carrying out of initial and continuous training actions for local entrepreneurs and the community in general , on the themes Dark Sky® Alqueva (Astro tourism, light pollution, among others), and also the dynamization of animation actions and events related to Dark Sky® Alqueva.
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