New data released from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM) has revealed that almost five million tourists have participated in hot air balloon tours in the Cappadocia region of Turkey over the past ten years.
The global centre of hot air balloon rides
Widely considered as the global capital for hot air balloon rides, tourism in Cappadocia has exploded over the past decade as more people discover it, becoming one of Turkey’s most-visited destinations and a bucket list stop for travellers around the world.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the season for balloon flights runs for 220 days per year on average, with 156 hot air balloons taking to the sky on a daily basis during that time. SHGM data showed that 4,765,240 tourists enjoyed balloon tours and sky views of Cappadocia over the past decade.
40% of global flights take place in Cappadocia
In 2015, nearly 500,000 tourists joined balloon tours in Cappadocia. By 2024, that number had increased to over 770,000 tourists. The President of the Anatolian Hot Air Balloon Operators Association said: “Cappadocia is the region with the most balloon flights in the world. Globally, we can say that about 40% of all balloon flights take place in Cappadocia.”
He went on to say that: “The daily launch of 156 balloons creates a festive atmosphere. The rising use of social media has made Cappadocia a famous and highly sought-after destination for ballooning. Cappadocia, after Istanbul, is one of Turkey’s most globally recognised destinations.”
Fairy chimneys and historical sites
It is not only the ballooning tours that attracts tourists to Cappadocia. The region is rich is unique landscaping and historical sites, drawing people from all over the world. From fairy chimneys to rock-carved sites and incredible cave hotels, Cappadocia welcomes millions of people every year, and this year will be no different.
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