Predicting the future — of travel or anything else — isn’t easy. When Forbes said in 2020 they expected “different travel trends to pop up,” they were right — but not in a way anyone could have expected. Nevertheless, industry researchers analyze reams of data to help airlines, hotel operators, cruise lines, and travel advisers get a handle on what their clients will be looking for in the year to come. And topping the travel trendspotters’ lists this year is “noctourism.” So, what is noctourism, and why is it suddenly so popular? Let’s find out.
Shining Light on Dark Tourism
Nocturnal tourism or noctourism (sometimes called “night tourism”) is a growing travel trend focused on experiences that specifically take place at night. This type of light spectrum-specific travel has gained popularity as travelers search for unique experiences beyond traditional daytime sightseeing. While eco-tourists seek out pristine environments and gastro-tourists fly for the best food, noctourists are drawn like moths to a flame to places lacking light pollution or events that occur when the sun has gone down.
Why Noctourism, and Why Now?
Reasons for noctourism’s growing popularity include avoiding crowds and sheltering from sweltering daytime temperatures to reveling in the magic of illumination — be it natural or human-made. Post-pandemic “revenge travel” led to ludicrous overcrowding of previously alluring destinations, causing tourists to seek out other destinations with fewer visitors.
But hidden gems rarely remain hidden for long, and noctourism can offer travelers a way to see the same sites, but at a different time, along with celestial sights that are impossible to view in more populated areas or extravaganzas created specifically to be experienced when the lights are low.
The Rise of Dark Sky Sanctuaries
The glittering contents of night skies have fascinated humanity since our earliest days. The seasonal movements of the heavens, the cycles of the moon, and astronomical anomalies like comets, eclipses, and meteor showers formed some of the earliest spiritual beliefs of humans, and were seen as omens both auspicious and evil.
But in modern days, our technological illuminations have the side effect of obscuring our views of the night skies. At the same time, technology has given us powerful telescopes that beam back incredibly detailed and fantastical images from the furthest reaches of the universe.
A growing appreciation for the splendor of darkness has given rise to dark sky sanctuaries around the world — places that are protected from artificial illumination, allowing the Milky Way and other galaxies to be appreciated in all their glory.
From national parks to observatories to clear-roofed igloos open to the northern lights, noctourism continues to grow. The next big event on the calendar: August 2, 2027, will see an exceptionally long (6 minutes, 23 seconds) total solar eclipse, which will wash over Egypt’s famed Valley of the Kings.
Bright Lights, Big Cities
Noctourism isn’t dedicated solely to nature’s wonders. From New York City, with its Empire State Building, to Paris and the Eiffel Tower, many skylines are simply much more spectacular when the sun sets and the lights come on. In futuristic Hong Kong, for example, the Symphony of Lights bathes the city’s buildings in the world’s largest permanent light and sound show, while the best evening views of New York City and Chicago can often be found on river cruises past their famous skylines.
Many cities come into their own in the late hours, when the tourist buses have departed and the cruise ships have moved on to their next destinations. With overcrowding and overtourism making headlines, many destinations have sought to diversify their offerings, developing specific nocturnal attractions like evening museum hours, night zoos (when the animals are often more active), and specialized night tour packages to capitalize on this trend.
Especially in Asia, night markets have long been spots where locals and tourists can mingle, enjoying food, shopping, and entertainment when the workday is done. And with temperatures breaking records seemingly every season, many travelers find that the smart money is on evening explorations, when it’s cooler.
Bright Ideas for Noctourism Trips
Abisko, Sweden: With relatively clear skies (given its location) and unparalleled opportunities to catch the northern lights (aka the aurora borealis), this stunning national park in northern Sweden is noticing an uptick in noctourists.
Chiang Mai, Thailand: Less hectic than Bangkok, Chiang Mai has a plethora of lively night markets, perfect for slurping noodles, scoring handicrafts, and sipping beer into the wee hours. (Avoid “burning season,” from roughly February to April, when farmers set their fields ablaze and the air quality drops sharply.)
Costa Rica: This Central American country — recently named among the world’s happiest — is famed for its healthy, positive pura vida (“pure life”) vibe. It’s also known for its abundant wildlife. See the jungles really come to life on night tours, where you may spot tree frogs, coatimundis, and sloths, to name just a few interesting species.
Big Island, Hawaii: Take a twilight and stargazing tour in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, home to Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
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