Hot air balloon

Turkey will host a hot-air balloon festival for the first time in Cappadocia, the otherworldly touristic hub famed for its fairy chimneys.

A company's consolidation of some 19 hot air balloon companies has come under scrutiny for breaking down free and fair competition for the popular rides over the Cappadocia region's spectacular rock formations.

The number of tourists taking hot air balloon tours in the sky of central Turkey's popular tourism destination Cappadocia increased by 63 percent in 2018, according to data by tne Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

In just one day, tourist hot spot Cappadocia offers its guests a hot-air balloon tour during early morning hours over fairy chimneys, skiing at Mount Erciyes and relaxation at Kozaklı thermal springs. 

Authorities in Cappadocia, one of Turkey's most attractive tourist destinations, have suspended hot air balloon rides until the weekend due to strong winds.

The number of tourists that took part in hot air balloon tours in the skies of Cappadocia in the central Anatolian province of Nevşehir increased by 87 percent to 226,000 people in the first half of this year compared to the same period of 2017.

Despite a number of fatal accidents earlier this year, hot air balloon tours in the sky of central Turkey's popular tourism destination Cappadocia continued to attract a large number of tourists and boost the revenue from tourism in the region.

The French diplomatic mission in Turkey is mourning the death of Deputy Consul Vincent Caumontat, who was killed in a hot air balloon accident in the touristic area of Cappadocia in Central Anatolia on April 9.

"This tragic loss has shaken us," said Bertrand Buchwalter, the French consul general to Istanbul, after a ceremony at the consulate building on April 10. 

One French citizen was killed and seven others were injured on April 9 when a hot air balloon crashed in the touristic Cappadocia region of the Central Anatolian province of Nevşehir, the transportation ministry has announced.

One person was killed and 20 others were injured on April 9 when a hot air balloon crashed in the touristic Cappadocia region of the Central Anatolian province of Nevşehir, Doğan News Agency has reported.