April 4, 2025
As the sun sets, a new kind of travel experience is emerging—noctourism, or nighttime tourism. More travellers, it seems, are seeking unique, after-dark adventures that showcase destinations in an entirely different light. From stargazing in remote wilderness areas to night safaris and vibrant city tours, noctourism is rapidly growing in popularity.
According to booking.com’s recent Defying Convention to Deepen Connections: – Nine Predictions for Travel in 2025, a growing number of travellers are ‘ditching daylight crowds for midnight magic’, with nearly two thirds planning to visit dark sky destinations and 72% expressing a preference for ‘starbathing experiences’.
One of the biggest drivers of this trend is the growing appreciation for natural nightscapes. With urban light pollution drowning out the stars, travellers are heading to dark sky reserves in destinations like New Zealand, Norway, and the American Southwest to witness breathtaking celestial displays. Experiences such as our new Star Flight product in Kaikōura blend adrenaline with astronomy, allowing guests to soar through the darkness while marvelling at the Milky Way. Similarly, observatories and astro-tourism destinations, like New Zealand’s Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, offer guided tours that bring visitors face-to-face with the wonders of the universe.
Wildlife tourism has also embraced the night, with nocturnal safaris revealing creatures rarely seen during the day. In Africa, night drives in private game reserves allow travellers to witness predators on the hunt, while in Australia, visitors can spot nocturnal marsupials such as possums, quokkas, and sugar gliders. Even in urban environments, nature-based noctourism is thriving—bioluminescent kayaking experiences in places like Puerto Rico and Tasmania provide a magical encounter with glowing marine life.
Beyond nature, cities around the world are redefining nighttime tourism. Many iconic landmarks, from the Eiffel Tower to Sydney’s Opera House, offer exclusive after-dark tours, giving visitors a quieter, more intimate experience..
At EcoZip, we believe that as travellers seek out more immersive, less crowded, and sustainable tourism options, noctourism is set to grow. Not only does it provide a unique experience, but it also helps distribute visitor footfall more evenly throughout the day, and even the year as winter, with its early sunsets, is often the optimum time to engage in stargazing.
Whether it’s chasing the Southern Lights, ziplining under the stars, or indulging in a midnight food tour, the world after dark is full of adventure—just waiting to be explored.
