Uber has diversified its services by offering hot air balloon rides to passengers in Turkey’s Cappadocia region. This move represents the company’s ongoing efforts to expand beyond its traditional ride-hailing platform.
The service is available from today until November 19, and customers can book a hot air balloon ride through Uber Reserve with a 12-hour advance notice. The cost for this experience is approximately 150 euros, which translates to around $159. For this price, passengers can enjoy a 1.5-hour hot air balloon ride at sunrise, offering breathtaking views of Cappadocia’s unique volcanic landscape.
Cappadocia, renowned for its stunning volcanic scenery and historical sites, stands as one of Turkey’s most sought-after tourist destinations. In 2022, it attracted approximately 10% of Turkey’s total foreign visitors.
Uber has noted a significant surge in international trips to Turkey in 2023, with nearly 26 million people accessing its app in the country. The introduction of hot air balloon rides aligns with Uber’s broader strategy to provide a diverse range of transportation options beyond conventional rides.
This initiative follows Uber’s expansion into other modes of transportation around the world. The Uber app already enables users to book boat rides along the Thames River in London, Mykonos in Greece, and even unconventional options like tuk-tuks in Sri Lanka and India, as well as helicopter rides in New York. Additionally, Uber introduced the capability to book flights for UK users in May.
For context, Uber reported substantial second-quarter revenues of $9.2 billion in 2023, marking a 14% increase compared to the same period in the previous year. This also marked the first time Uber reported quarterly profits. Despite these positive financial indicators, the company’s stock value remains below its peak in 2021.
Uber has also implemented in-app advertising in major markets in the United States since June, signaling further efforts to expand its revenue streams and reach.