Galloway Dark Sky Park tourist boost welcomed

The survey found the Dark Sky Park has had a significant economic benefit in the area

A tourism body has welcomed a study showing the economic benefits of the UK's only Dark Sky Park in Galloway.

The report, produced for Forestry Commission Scotland, shows an influx of stargazers boosted off-season winter income for accommodation providers.

Of 35 guest houses and bed and breakfast operators surveyed, 77% reported an increase in bed nights.

Wilma Finlay, who chairs Destination Dumfries and Galloway, said the findings were hugely encouraging.

They showed combined income at the accommodation sites surveyed rose by more than £40,000.

The report authors said the results represented only a partial assessment of the benefits of Dark Sky status, and the actual economic impact was likely to be much greater.

Keith Muir, FCS's head of tourism and recreation in Galloway, said: "There are hotels running specialist weekends now on stargazing and they're already booked up.

"We're hearing more and more people talking to our staff out in the parks, saying that they're coming here and they're asking specifically about the night sky and where to go, and that has increased.

"So we're hearing more and more that people are coming and we can see through the counters we have at different car parks that more people are going at night - we presume for dark sky gazing."

Ms Finlay said the report reflected the significance of the site.

"It is a unique thing - we have got the only Dark Sky Park status in the UK and we continue to get quite a lot of PR over it," she said.

"And it is something that is an attraction out of season.

"So we have been working closely with FCS on the promotion of this and just to help tourism operators to make the most of it and understand what their guests are looking for."