Gobeklitepe welcomes hot air balloon tours: New perspective on ‘zero point of history’

Hot air balloon tours have officially begun at Gobeklitepe, the UNESCO World Heritage site in Sanliurfa, known as the “zero point of history.”

This new attraction offers visitors the chance to experience the ancient site from a breathtaking aerial view, further enhancing the region’s tourism appeal.

Record-breaking Gobeklitepe adds new dimension for visitors

Following its discovery, Gobeklitepe has drawn record numbers of visitors, both domestic and international. Now, with the introduction of hot air balloon tours, visitors have yet another way to explore this historic site, adding to the variety of experiences available.

In coordination with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the General Directorate of Civil Aviation, permissions were obtained to initiate hot air balloon flights over Gobeklitepe. Although test flights were conducted earlier, the tours were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Feb. 6, 2023 earthquakes. However, with tourism activity picking up again in the region, the tours have now been officially launched.

New day, new perspective: Gobeklitepe, Harran Plain from sky

The first flights took off following reservations, offering passengers a unique sunrise view of Gobeklitepe and the vast, fertile Harran Plain that surrounds it.

This new tour aims to increase both the number of visitors and the length of their stays in the region.

Aydin Aslan, Sanliurfa’s provincial director of culture and tourism, emphasized the positive impact of these tours. “Commercial flights have officially started today as part of the project that has been ongoing since 2019,” he said.

“With the support of our Ministry of Culture and Tourism, these flights have been launched as a high-value commercial product for our city. We expect a significant increase in both visitor profiles and the number of nights they stay. We believe this initiative will be highly beneficial in the coming period.”

Aslan also highlighted the unique opportunity for visitors to see Gobeklitepe within its natural surroundings, further enhancing the site’s appeal on the UNESCO List.

Enhancing tourism diversity in Sanliurfa

Merve Ofluoglu, head of the tourism department at Sanliurfa Metropolitan Municipality, expressed her satisfaction with the start of the flights. She noted that marketing the tours wouldn’t pose any challenges.

“Having tourist guides in the balloon baskets to introduce the region will create a more atmospheric experience. From a tourist perspective, every group will have a guide, and we’ll be able to showcase Gobeklitepe and the broader Mesopotamian region from above,” she explained. “This is an alternative tourism product for us, and we will do everything we can to promote it and add value to Sanliurfa.”

Pilot’s perspective: ‘High tourism potential’

Hot air balloon pilot Bilge Ezel also shared her excitement about the launch, noting the high tourism potential of the region. “Our commercial flights have begun as of today. The break we took was not a loss; on the contrary, it allowed us to promote the tours and establish connections with various locations. Reservations have started coming in. From now on, we expect changes in both the number of tourists staying overnight and the profile of visitors. Balloon tourism has officially started in Sanliurfa,” Ezel said.

With the introduction of hot air balloon tours, Gobeklitepe continues to expand its offerings, providing visitors with unforgettable experiences both on the ground and from the skies.