On Astronomy Day, the province of Jujuy announced it has received the Sendero Starlight 2025 international certification from the Starlight Foundation. This recognition is given to territories that preserve the quality of their night skies and encourage scientific, educational, cultural, and tourism activities related to astronomy.
The certification is part of the “Ruta de los Cielos Jujeños,” a corridor that combines science, culture, tourism, and conservation efforts in the region.
Federico Posadas, Minister of Culture and Tourism for Jujuy, stated: “Jujuy has the most beautiful skies in the world, and this certification confirms it. It is a source of pride that our province is now an international reference in protecting the night sky, a resource as valuable as our landscapes, our culture and our people.”
With this distinction, Jujuy joins other internationally recognized destinations such as the Canary Islands and Chile’s Atacama Desert. Posadas added: “This gives us international visibility and attracts specialized markets such as astrophotographers, researchers and travelers interested in unique experiences. It diversifies our tourism offerings and creates skilled jobs in rural areas.”
He also said: “The certification also promotes local human resource training, organizing astronomical festivals and developing certified trails and viewpoints. This achievement puts us on the global map for astrotourism and reaffirms the vision of a province committed to sustainable development and innovation.”
The Starlight Foundation was established by Spain’s Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias with support from UNESCO, the International Astronomical Union (IAU), and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The foundation leads UNWTO’s Scientific Tourism Working Group to promote sustainable astronomical tourism worldwide.
For Jujuy, obtaining this certification along National Route 52 strengthens territorial management through measures such as protecting dark skies, adopting efficient lighting regulations, and raising community awareness about environmental, cultural and scientific values associated with preserving darkness at night.
The certification process aims to protect both natural heritage and intangible cultural heritage while encouraging respectful relationships between people, land and cosmos. The Ruta de los Cielos Jujeños is presented as a model for sustainability where science, culture, tourism and conservation combine to create an educational experience.
