The initiative aims to strengthen the capacities of workers in the rural tourism sector and indirectly promote green enterprises in the excluded and depopulated rural areas of the provinces of Guadalajara, Cáceres, Teruel and Tenerife.

The initiative aims to strengthen the capacities of workers in the rural tourism sector and indirectly promote green enterprises in the excluded and depopulated rural areas of the provinces of Guadalajara, Cáceres, Teruel and Tenerife.

Specifically, it seeks to promote astronomical tourism as an endogenous resource that generates development, linked to the environment and sustainability.

The absence of light and atmospheric pollution in general, the altitude and the low population density, make certain areas of these provinces unique places for astronomical observation. To this end, training and advisory actions will be launched on astronomical tourism as a resource for endogenous development.

The project also contributes to raising awareness among workers in the tourism sector about the impact of light pollution and the importance of reducing it, emphasizing such important concepts as energy efficiency. In addition, it seeks to promote a new lighting culture committed to climate change that also helps the decarbonization of the economy and the protection of ecosystems.

The initiative is an opportunity for the rural economy of these provinces, seriously affected by depopulation, the current economic situation and the lack of entrepreneurship, through the training of workers in a new economic activity, astronomical tourism. An activity that is almost unknown in Spain, although very successful pilot experiences have already been successfully developed in our country. On the other hand, in neighbouring countries there is a growing demand.

The target audience of this project is workers in the tourism sector in rural areas linked to the environment, with special attention to self-employed workers who wish to give a boost to their businesses and companies. The project is also open to employees working in the sector.

The objectives of the project are:

• Train 120 recipients, although the project will reach 590 workers.
• Strengthen the capacities of 120 workers in the tourism sector in depopulated areas.