Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille welcomes today the launch of the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) Visitor Centre in Cape Town by Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Blade Nizimande.
“The Saao Visitor Center is a major milestone in the implementation of the National Astrotourism Strategy and Implementation Plan, which was approved by the Cabinet in May this year. The facility is proof of how science and tourism can work together to lock new frontiers with experiential and educational trips.
Saao is the national observatory for optics and infrared astronomy. Founded in 1972, the observatory is administered by the National Research Foundation (NRF), which has the main functions of conducting research in astronomy and astrophysics.
The Tourism Bureau is a joint funder of the Visitor Centre, along with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the National Research Foundation.
“The investment in the Saao Visitor Center reflects the shared commitment by the government sector to diversify tourism products in South Africa and deepens general involvement with science, heritage and indigenous knowledge systems,” Minister Delhir said.
The national astrotourism strategy is fixed on three strategic pillars that guide the implementation plan. These are: Pillars – Indigenous heavenly tales and human development. Pillar 2 – Infrastructure development. Pillar 3 – Inclusive tourism growth and partnerships. This newly launched initiative coincides with and contributes to the objectives of all three pillars of the strategy.
The visitor centre is located on the historic Saan site at the Cape Town observatory and is expected to attract more than 18,000 visitors a year. It features interactive exhibits, historical telescopes and multilingual storytelling, including the heavenly stories of Isixhosa and Khoekhoegowab. This comprehensive approach makes the Visitor Centre a unique draw card for both national and international visitors, serving as an important cultural and educational hub.
“The launch of the Saao Visitor Center is an inspiring example of how tourism can meaningfully intersect with science, culture and education. Through the National Space-Tourism Strategy, we will open the night sky in our communities and create the Saao Visitor Center, Reel.
As part of a broader Astrotourism strategy, the Tourism Bureau aims to support projects celebrating South Africa's clear skies, rich heritage and diverse storytelling heritage. The Saao Visitor Center is a flagship initiative within this vision, demonstrating that destination development and knowledge conservation is mutually beneficial. Additionally, the project created 24 jobs during construction and 10 permanent positions were established to operate the visitor centre.
“We look forward to celebrating all stakeholders involved in realizing this groundbreaking project and welcoming learners, educators, communities and visitors from around the world to the appeal of this new urban astronomy at the heart of Cape Town,” Minister Delhir concluded.
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