Company operating Babadag paragliding center to increase entry fees starting Feb 1

Gözde paragliding Center has increased entry fees to Babadag from TL 38 to TL 81. Upon this decision, nearly 200 paraglider pilots got together and announced they had halted flights indefinitely. When the private company operating the world-famous paragliding Center Babadag in Oludeniz District of Fethiye, Mugla, increased the entry fee there was a major reaction from paragliding pilots.

Responding to the price increase, paraglider pilots decided to stop tandem flights from Babadag indefinitely. About 100 pilots gathered at Belcegiz Beach protested with applause, saying commercial paragliding flights from Babadag would not be held until entry fees were withdrawn to the normal level.

Making a statement on behalf of paragliding pilots, a pilot said the entry fee hike, which was well above inflation, had raised the cost of paragliding activities. The official went on to say, “The operator should re-evaluate the increase in the gate toll, which has no legal basis and does not match the government’s anti-inflation program. The fee needs to be withdrawn to the appropriate rate, which is consistent with sector and country realities”.

A representative from TÜRSAB said, “The price increase is not at an acceptable level. Tourism is not made by individual instant decisions. Sales are made 1 year ahead. The price increase puts all the burden on paragliding pilots and tourists. We’ll use other spots to jump if we have to”.