Uber is now letting its users book hot-air balloon rides above the Cappadocia region in Turkey as part of its efforts to promote travel and boost tourism.
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Uber's Hot Air Balloon Ride
Cappadocia is one of the tourist attractions in Turkey which gathered 10 percent of the country's 44.6 million foreign visitors in 2022, as per the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. With the holiday season fast approaching, Turkey wants to achieve a record of 60 million tourists for 2023.
Turkey and Uber teamed up to offer a hot air balloon ride above one of the country's hottest tourist destinations. Recently, Uber raised its market reach in Turkey by over 50 percent compared to last year.
App users can book a ride for $159, which allows the customer to reserve a trip on one of 20 places on a 1.5-hour sunrise flight. The ride is 3,000 feet above the UNESCO-registered volcanic landscape. Moreover, the scenery is also known for its cave cities and churches that date back to the 10th century.
Uber's Popularity in Turkey
The partnership was made possible after Uber saw immense support for their services in the country. The company saw an over 50 percent increase in trips compared to last year. Currently, Uber has more than 30,000 taxi drivers in nine Turkish cities, with the majority rounding in Istanbul.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi called the ballon service as part of the company's vision to grow as "the operating system for everyday life." This is not the first time that the company opened a unique transportation service. Uber has launched Tuk-Tuks in India, seasonal boat services in Greece, and flight booking in the U.K.
To encourage more tourists, Uber announced that the first 100 customers will be offered a free ride during its launch in Turkey's centenary year. Others can still book any time via Uber Reserve but make sure to book at least 12 hours prior the departure.
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