DARK-SKY TOURISM FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM RECOVERY products and unique domestic travel destinations will potentially increase the competitiveness of the country within the international tourism market. One of the most innovative solutions for domestic tourism is dark-sky tourism (DST). DST is seen as a sustainable form of tourism with a unique travel destination, namely dark skies. Research indicates that DST is a great contributor to the various sustainability dimensions (Rodrigues, et al. 2015; Dalgleish 2021; Petrevska, 2021; Bjelajac, 2021). This article aims to explore the potential of DST as an instrument for the recovery of tourism activities after the pandemic. Firstly, this article will briefly discuss the approaches to the industry recovery. To identify the implementation of the approach, a policy framework for tourism recovery will be analysed with a main focus on the international level. Thereafter, this paper will examine the sustainable benefits of DST. Finally, the research will explore whether DST is aligned with the framework for tourism recovery and whether it can provide a valuable contribution to it. The paper is intended to fill in a gap in research related to the post-pandemic recovery of the tourism industry with the help of DST. 2. TOWARDS TOURISM RECOVERY: IMMEDIATE RESTART OR REFORMATION The pandemic has significantly hit tourism and tourism-related industries. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) data has shown that in comparison with 2019 international tourism has dropped by 88% in 2020 which is equivalent to a US$1.3 trillion loss in revenues4. 2022 has marked a year of a gradual recovery of the tourism sector, although the number of international arrivals remains low. The number of international travels in January 2022 was 67% less compared to 2019, due to the still ongoing pandemic and imposed travel restrictions5. The emerged unprecedented consequences have suspended and ceased the development of the industry, leading it to a crisis. Before the pandemic, tourism was one of the most fast-growing sectors. Despite creating considerable pressure on different aspects of well-being, for instance, pollution, climate change and alteration of ecosystems, it has, nevertheless, provided a major contribution to worldwide sustainable 4 2020: A year in review (data provided by the UNWTO) [accessed on 12.04.2022]. 5 UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, Volume 20, Issue 2, March 2022.
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