Project · Ongoing · Albania · 2021 — ongoing
Star Campers Albania
The astrotourism initiative PERSEID grew out of: nights under the stars, camping, walking and local hospitality across Albanian destinations.
Star Campers Albania was born in Shebenik from a simple idea: to invite people to discover a destination even after the sun had set. Under a sky with little light pollution, stargazing became part of a wider experience with camping, walking in nature, conversations by the fire and getting to know the people of the area. We are proud that we were the first to develop this organised format for astrotourism in Albania.
For four years Shebenik was the place where we built and refined this experience. There we learned how to prepare an activity in nature, how to explain the sky to people seeing it through a telescope for the first time and, above all, how to work with guides, guesthouse owners and local residents. Thousands of participants became part of this journey. Many of them came back, giving us the confidence to go further.
From Shebenik, Star Campers spread to other destinations in Albania, including Përmet, the Via Egnatia, Prespa e Madhe and Gramsh. In each place we looked for the same spirit, while leaving room for the character of the area: the landscape, its stories, its hospitality and the opportunities to stay and explore longer. In this way, a night of stargazing can also bring visitors to guesthouses, guides and local services.
Today we have four telescopes and we continue to invest in equipment, knowledge and new experience. We pair sky observation with clear explanations, astrophotography and activities that encourage participants to ask questions. For young people and children it is a way to get closer to science outside the classroom; for destinations it is an opportunity to develop a form of tourism that values nature and its quiet.
Star Campers grew us as a team. It taught us to turn an idea into an experience people look for, to work with different partners and to listen to the needs of the communities we visit. This work also created the desire to do more: to develop trails, to share knowledge with young people and to create projects with lasting impact. This is the foundation on which PERSEID was created.
Objectives
- Run stargazing nights and camps under dark skies
- Include guides, guesthouses and local residents in every activity
- Pair sky observation with education and astrophotography
Partners · Local guides and guesthouses, Volunteers