Türkiye’s skies were more crowded than ever in 2024, as hot air balloon tourism soared to a historic high with a record-breaking 933,195 tourists taking flight across seven scenic regions.
According to data compiled by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM), this marks a 25% increase compared to 2023, making it the highest number of hot air balloon passengers in the country’s history.
Flights were conducted in seven regions known for their natural beauty and cultural significance:
Cappadocia and Çat in Nevşehir,
Pamukkale in Denizli,
Soğanlı in Kayseri,
Aspendos in Antalya,
Ihlara Valley in Aksaray, and
The Phrygian Valley in Afyonkarahisar.
These iconic locations hosted a total of 43,283 balloon flights throughout the year, operated by 71 licensed companies using a fleet of 441 hot air balloons.
Leading the surge was Cappadocia, world-renowned for its dreamlike landscapes and breathtaking sunrise flights. The region continues to serve as the heart of Türkiye’s balloon tourism industry.
In comparison, 747,203 tourists took balloon rides in 2023, when the country had a fleet of 431 balloons—highlighting both growing demand and the sector’s rapid development.
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Thousands of Bulgarians took to the streets in Sofia and other major cities on Saturday to oppose the government’s plan to replace the lev with the euro, a key step in the country’s deeper integration into the European Union.
A Chinese military official on Saturday rejected U.S. allegations about Beijing’s regional behavior, accusing Washington of destabilizing the Asia-Pacific region.
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A small plane crashed into the terrace of a residential building near Mönchengladbach, western Germany, on Saturday, killing two people, police said.
Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, criticized Hamas’s response to Washington’s latest ceasefire proposal, calling it “completely unacceptable” and a step backward.
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