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Council hears astrotourism briefing; San Juan County touted as a dark‑sky asset
Summary
Council heard a briefing on astrotourism from Utah Office of Tourism materials: presenters noted San Juan County leads the state in International Dark Sky-recognized areas and urged developing Dark Sky programs and ambassador training to boost off‑season visitation.
Bluff Town Council received an update on astrotourism and dark‑sky programming, with members encouraged to pursue ambassador training and local programming to attract off‑season visitors.
A council member summarized materials from the Utah Office of Tourism, noting that San Juan County has the most International Dark Sky–recognized areas in the state and that astrotourism can help disperse visitors and increase overnight stays. The presenter cited an analysis (as presented at the training) projecting significant regional visitor-spending gains — the presenter said the analysis suggested up to $5.8 billion in visitor spending across the Four Corners region over the next 10 years and the potential to support thousands of jobs. The council framed those figures as background from state materials rather than local forecasts.
Councilors discussed developing a local Dark Sky Park or programming tied to the community’s dark‑sky certification work, expanding monthly star parties and working with the Bears Ears Education Center and other partners. The town will host a Dark Sky ambassador training on Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. and a public star party at Edge of the Cedars State Park on Sept. 19; councilors said they will promote those events and explore ways astrotourism could feed into economic development and off‑season visitation.
