Get your adrenaline flowing because Uber is actually expanding! Uber now offers amazing hot air balloon rides for booking, but before you start jumping for joy, keep in mind that this wonderful service won’t be available to you in India. How come? Well, because, in India, hot air balloons are as rare as unicorns. Uber is launching this incredible experience in the idyllic Cappadocia region of Turkey, which is where the real fun is. Uber allows you to live the fantasy in the enchanted region of Cappadocia even though you won’t be flying over the landscapes of India.
Uber is reportedly launching an interesting new business by enabling users to reserve hot air balloon rides above Turkey’s picturesque Cappadocia region, according to a report by Bloomberg. This initiative represents Uber’s ongoing penetration into the travel and tourist industry, going beyond mere taxis and ride-hailing services.
The idea is straightforward: for ($159), Uber app users may book a place on a hot air balloon flight. A 1.5-hour morning flight 3,000 feet (914.4 meters) over the breathtaking Unesco-registered volcanic terrain is promised by these enthralling expeditions. The breathtaking cave cities and venerable churches from the tenth century are the main draws of this area.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism estimates that 10% of Turkey’s 44.6 million international visitors in 2022 choose to visit Cappadocia, making it a popular tourist destination. Turkey’s goal of inviting an astounding 60 million tourists by 2023 makes it an even more alluring possibility.
Uber’s CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, has described the company’s broad goal, which includes the hot air balloon service, as “the operating system for everyday life.” Uber has already introduced a number of travel options, mainly in foreign countries outside of the US. These services, which cover a wide range of travel experiences, include Tuk-Tuks in India, seasonal boat services in Greece, and flight reservations in the UK.
Notably, Turkey has become one of Uber’s fastest-growing countries, as seen by the more than 50% increase in app-based rides that have occurred there over the past year. With more than 30,000 active taxi drivers covering nine Turkish cities—Istanbul having the largest concentration—the company has a significant presence in Turkey.
Uber is always growing and improving the travel experiences it offers, and this hot air ballooning trip above Cappadocia is sure to be an exciting addition to its ever-expanding repertoire.