High number of Chinese tourists on paragliding flights in Fethiye: One in every three is Chinese
Tourists visiting for China’s “Golden Week” holiday are taking flights from Babadağ. Şekerci, a member of the Pilots’ Cooperative, said the number of flights is increasing every day.
This article was translated automatically from Turkish. Türkçe orijinal ›
Tourists visiting Turkey during China’s “Golden Week” holiday, which took place from October 1 to 7, are ascending Babadağ—located in the Ölüdeniz neighborhood of Fethiye at an elevation of 1,965 meters—to go paragliding. Accompanied by pilots, the tourists take off from the launch pads and enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Ölüdeniz.
“One in every three is Chinese”
Zafer Şekerci, a member of the Board of Directors of the Ölüdeniz Paragliding Pilots Cooperative, said that Fethiye and Ölüdeniz are among the major centers for paragliding. Noting the recent influx of Chinese tourists, Şekerci said, “We can say that one out of every three people paragliding from Babadağ is Chinese. The number of Chinese tourists is increasing day by day.”
Şekerci also noted that the International Ölüdeniz Air Games Festival, to be held in the region, will contribute to the number of flights and boost regional tourism. Emphasizing that safety measures are in place for the flights, Şekerci invited those interested in paragliding to visit Ölüdeniz.
Top Marks from Tourists
Jiayi Sahan, a Chinese tourist paragliding for the first time, noted that the region is one of the world’s leading paragliding centers and said she found the activity both safe and fun. Another Chinese tourist, Cai Xiaogian, expressed her admiration for Fethiye’s scenery and said she plans to fly again.
With its runways located 1,965 meters above sea level, Babadağ offers suitable flying conditions for most of the year. Thanks to this feature, the region continues to attract both local and foreign visitors even during the off-season. Flights are conducted with tandem pilots, and no prior experience is required of participants.
Industry representatives note that the increase in the number of visitors from the Far East market has also benefited lodging, dining, and transportation businesses in Ölüdeniz. The air games festival scheduled for October is expected to present a unique opportunity for the region in terms of extending the season. Businesses report an uptick in reservations compared to last year.
You can find other news related to tourism in Fethiye and developments in Ölüdeniz on our Tourism page.
