The European nautical sector has taken a strategic step toward diversification and sustainability at the International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR). The TWINNEDbySTARS project has officially launched Atlantic Star Adventures (ASA), a pioneering platform that merges navigation with astronomy to create high-value experiences across four outermost regions: the Canary Islands, Madeira, the Azores, and Martinique.
The presentation took place at the Segittur space during a pitch session organized by Proexca and Canarias Excelencia Tecnológica, highlighting how innovation and scientific knowledge can revitalize traditional industries.
Towards a Premium and Sustainable Business Model
Xavier Martínez, CEO of Nautic Ocean and project partner, was responsible for detailing ASA’s value proposition. In his speech, Martínez noted that many nautical companies currently operate with tight margins and a heavy reliance on daylight and the summer season.
“Today’s traveler is no longer looking for just a boat ride; they seek authentic, educational, and memorable experiences. In the era of GPS, navigation and astronomy remain deeply linked, and Atlantic Star Adventures is the vehicle to discover that new landscape that opens before our eyes when we look toward the sky,” stated Martínez.
The platform transcends mere commercialization to establish itself as a true knowledge accelerator aimed at transforming companies within the nautical sector. Through this model, Atlantic Star Adventures guarantees comprehensive technical training that qualifies crews in applied astronomy and scientific outreach, ensuring that every sea excursion is both pedagogical and rigorous. This holistic support extends to product design, offering personalized consultancy to adapt each vessel to the demands of astrotourism, and culminates in solid commercial structuring support. Consequently, companies receive strategic assistance in pricing, the development of a distinctive brand narrative based on storytelling, and the implementation of specific safety protocols for night navigation.
Cooperation and Training
The project is backed by a robust network of partners including the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), the Maritime Cluster of the Canary Islands (CMC), and Nautic Ocean. Furthermore, the collaboration with the Starlight Foundation allows member companies and territories to access prestigious certifications, guaranteeing sky quality and excellence in scientific dissemination.
During the fair, the delegation held B2B meetings and networking sessions to expand this network. Companies such as Horizonte Celeste, Madeira Sunkiss Sailing, and Sailingside are already part of this ecosystem that seeks to “explain the sea from the land” and generate revenue during traditionally underutilized hours and seasons.
A Prominent Presence at FITUR
The presentation of Atlantic Star Adventures was part of a delegation of 12 disruptive projects born in the Canary Islands, sharing the stage with companies such as MNX Online, Fibras Naturales Canarias, Qraneos, Secret Source Technology, Técnicas Competitivas, Atlantis Technology, Proyecciones y Estudios Transnacionales, DESIC, EFFI Sustainability, Bakata Solutions, and Camabola Animación.
Thanks to the support of Proexca (Hall 12 A8), Canarias Excelencia Tecnológica, and the Segittur space, the project has successfully consolidated its message: in the age of GPS, the connection between the sky and the sea remains the most powerful vehicle for discovering new landscapes and preserving the quality of our night skies.
With this official debut in Madrid, Atlantic Star Adventures solidifies its position as the leading international umbrella brand for nautical astrotourism, transforming the night horizon into an engine for economic development and environmental preservation for the Atlantic.