Tourexpi
Hot
air balloon tours have officially launched over the famed ancient site of
Gobeklitepe in southeastern Türkiye, offering visitors a breathtaking aerial
view of the Neolithic settlement hailed as "history’s ground zero.”
Located
in Sanliurfa, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Gobeklitepe has been drawing
record numbers of visitors in recent years, after its stunning find of what may
be the world’s oldest temple made headlines worldwide. The introduction of hot
air balloon tours marks a significant expansion of tourism offerings in the
area, providing both local and international visitors a unique perspective on
this archaeological marvel.
The
balloon flights, which take off at sunrise, not only showcase Gobeklitepe's
elaborate stone structures but also offer panoramic views of the surrounding
Harran Plain. This new attraction aims to boost tourism by increasing both
visitor numbers and the duration of stays in the region.
Aydin
Aslan, the provincial culture and tourism chief, told Anadolu the flights began
on Sunday. "Hot air balloon rides were planned as an offering with high
added value for our city," he said. "We expect an increase in both
the visitor profile and the number of accommodation days."
Richer
experience for visitors
The
launch of the tours follows delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and earthquakes
that struck the region in early 2023. As regional tourism revives, authorities
are optimistic about this new attraction.
Merve
Ofluoglu, a local tourism official, waxed enthusiastic about the flights,
highlighting the enhanced experience for tour guides. "Showing off the
region in balloon will let tour guides offer visitors a richer
experience," she said. "We’ll be in a position to show them
Mesopotamia, especially Gobeklitepe, and present them geographically, from
above."
Bilge
Ezel, a hot air balloon pilot, said he and his team worked tirelessly to make
the flights possible, and predicted: "From now on, there will be changes
in both the number of tourists’ overnight stays and the profile of the people
who come to Sanliurfa.”
The
famed ancient site was discovered in 1963 by researchers from Istanbul and
Chicago universities and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2018.
Image
Credit: © AA
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