Half a million people flew in Cappadocia balloons in 2015

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Cappadocia's hot air balloons have become increasingly popular in recent years, though 2016 has seen a drop amid the general slowdown in Turkish tourism Last year almost half a million tourists viewed the Cappadocia region in central Turkey from its symbolic hot air balloons. 

The Cappadocia region is visited by around 2.5 million local and foreign tourists every year, with around a fifth of these visitors opting to take a balloon flight. 

Balloon trips are generally take flight from the Göreme district of Nev?ehir province in the early morning hours, when the weather conditions are clearest. From the air tourists view Cappadocia's stunning natural landscape including its famous fairy chimneys. 

Göreme Mayor Nuri Cingil says hot air balloon flights occur on around 300 days every year, depending on weather conditions. In high season as many as 150 balloons take off each day. 

 "In 2014, flights took place on 319 days and 434,639 people viewed the region from the air in 26,708 balloons. In 2015 there were flights on 266 days and 498,812 people traveled in 27,775 balloons. So interest increased by 14 percent in 2015 from 2014," Cingil said. 

Average of 100 balloons taking off each day in Göreme 

Cingil said Göreme is the number one place in the world in terms of the number of flights per day, adding that images of the colorful balloons were very important in Turkey's touristic promotion.

"Hot air balloon flights generally take place in the morning hours and sometimes in the afternoon depending on reservations. Overall there are 180 hot air balloons used in the region," he added. 

"According to writers, editors and the online voting of Lonely Planet, Cappadocia is among the top places...

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