Votes are now open for Dan Monk, Director of Astrophotography at Kielder Observatory, to be awarded Tourism Superstar 2026. The result is completely down to public vote so we need you to support Dan by voting now!
Dan is the living embodiment of Northumberland’s leadership in astrotourism. As Director of Astrophotography at Kielder Observatory, he champions the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, the largest protected night sky area in Europe, and has transformed stargazing into one of England’s most distinctive visitor experiences.
You may also have seen Dan’s awe-inspiring photography on his Facebook and Instagram accounts, where he shares Northumberland’s dark skies with his followers. Dan’s work truly goes above and beyond and has put Northumberland’s dark skies on the map, and his astrophotography has featured in Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later, in the Daily Mail amongst other media outlets, and he shares his imagery to his large social media following.
Dan said: “I’m extremely proud and grateful to be nominated as a finalist. Northumberland’s dark skies mean a great deal to me, and being able to photograph them and encourage others to experience the magic of the night sky is a true privilege.
Voting closes on 22 March 2026 so vote now. Help us spread the message far and wide by sharing this on social media too, using #TourismSuperstar26 and #DantheStar.
