Harnessing the potential of the night in nature

Look to the sky

As cities continue to grow, the light pollution that accompanies this phenomenon no longer allows urban populations to fully enjoy the beauty of a starry sky. For city residents, observing the stars is now a luxury reserved for vacation time and the Milky Way has become a tourist product in its own right. Thus, nature destinations offer more and more unique products where adventure, discovery and new cultural experiences are combined.

In Nova Scotia, the Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site bears the official title of Dark Sky Reserve (RCE) awarded by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. This recognition guarantees visitors a unique viewing experience, regardless of the time of year. The park is committed to working to protect and enhance the visibility of the sky on its territory, to raise awareness of the effects of light pollution and to develop interpretive activities. An astronomical tool kit is available for rent, fireside shows and stories attest to the strong presence of the stars in Aboriginal legends, and nocturnal canoe trips allow for stargazing with a guide.

While the aurora borealis and exceptional nocturnal panoramas offer an opportunity for unique experiences, dusk also presents a spectacle that allows tourist destinations to stand out. The village of Kamouraska, in Quebec, is thus regularly awarded the prize for the most beautiful sunset in Canada by visitors and professionals in the tourism industry. In 2016, the Bas-Saint-Laurent region chose to integrate the phenomenon into its promotional campaign by launching two competitions. The first, “Prescription of a Sunset” allowed Internet users to send one of the six sunset photos taken on the territory to their friends in need of vacations or vitamin D. The second, “The Great Sunset Hunt”, rewarded the best shot taken in the region at dusk.

Venture into the heart of the night

Exploring nature at night promotes a deep immersion in the environment, invites you to recharge your batteries and facilitates the encounter with wildlife that is discreet during the day.

An excellent way to take a different look at a territory, night safaris attract visitors who want to discover the nocturnal habits of animals. In Saint Thomas, one of the United States Virgin Islands, a transparent bottom kayak excursion is offered by the Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort. Equipped with LED lights, curious people who wish to observe marine fauna after sunset are supervised by a paddleboard guide who explains the specificities of the local ecosystem and introduces them to ecological values. Attracted by the light, tarpons, rays and turtles like to come and greet their nocturnal visitors.

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In Colorado, Lakota Guides, a company specialized in adventure tourism, offers a rafting trip with night vision goggles. Participants can thus experience the thrills of the activity, enhanced by the darkness, but also observe the stars, flora and animals that live along the Colorado River. The use of night vision allows the company to stand out thanks to a unique experience, at the crossroads between the exploration of nature and the use of new technologies.

Discover the local culture

Although remote from major centers, natural environments are not devoid of cultural traces. At night, a presentation of local traditions brightens the day for outdoor enthusiasts, offering them a global discovery of the territory.

Parks Canada offers inspiring activities to discover, by night, the cultural treasures of its various national parks. This is the case in particular at Kouchibouguac National Park, in New Brunswick. Outdoor theater, Mi'kmaq legends told in a wigwam or evenings of traditional Acadian stories around the fire are all activities offered to campers to liven up their evenings and introduce them to the different cultures of the region.

Another essential cultural experience in nature, the activity Foresta Lumina Illuminate every summer evening the Coaticook Gorge Park. By taking the multimedia trail, visitors plunge into a wonderful world and discover the characters who inhabit the legends of the park. A huge success, the animation attracted 156,000 visitors in 2016 and received numerous awards, especially internationally.

Thus, the characteristic remoteness of natural areas allows them to stand out from the urban tourist offer. The view of a clear sky and a deeply dark night plunges the visitor into a particular atmosphere, allowing developers to exploit a natural event to promote their brand image.

   Don't miss our article on New pricing strategies for attractions.
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After decades of setting a single admission price and maintaining it all year round, attractions are taking ownership of revenue management models common in the airline and hotel industries, such as dynamic pricing and loyalty programs.