A flying balloon in Phrygia.

Yesterday, on the websites of various newspapers, there was a news report originating from Anadolu Agency...

The title of the news was exactly as follows,

'Phrygia will be an alternative tourism route for nature lovers...'

Naturally, I was intrigued;

Because the geography we call Phrygia,

It covered Eskişehir, Kütahya and Afyon...

But I immediately realized from the introduction of the news;

The news only covers a small region in Afyon...

The 25-kilometer 'Phrygian Way' between Lake Emre and Ayazini village in İhsaniye District of Afyon...

When you read the details of the news, you realize what has been done in the region...

For example,

İhsaniye District Governor Doğukan Koyuncu explains that the number of tourists hosted annually in the region has increased from 200 thousand to 2 million...

He notes that this has been realized through public-private sector investments...

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Let's quote the news verbatim...

'Today, while hot air balloons fly over Lake Emre, you can do ATV safari in Ayazini village.

The mystical environment of the Maltas Open Air Temple, whose landscaping has been completed, impresses people.

Historical Phrygia has become an important tourism destination in Turkey with multiple points.

As we are in the summer season, Phrygia welcomes hundreds of local and foreign guests every day.

The number of visitors increases every year with new investments in the region.'

Koyuncu explained that the tourism potential of Phrygia has increased with boutique cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops featuring gastronomic delicacies as well as concert organizations.

Stating that they observed the added value of tourism with the increase in the number of tradesmen in the region from 2 to 40, Koyuncu continued as follows:

'The fact that public-private sector investments in Phrygia turn into employment also makes us happy. Hopefully, the number of employment will continue to increase with new workplaces in Phrygia. We have the upcoming Eid al-Adha ahead of us, and our tradesmen in Phrygia have made their preparations.

Afyonkarahisar and Ihsaniye district is the point where thermal hotels are densely located. The occupancy rates of our hotels are very high. The most popular travel route of our guests on Eid will be the 25-kilometer Phrygian Way. We recommend our guests to visit 3 thousand years old historical sites.

The views of two business operators in the area are as follows;

Shopkeeper Çiğdem Acar also noted that Phrygia started this year's tourism season well and that the tours coming every week brought mobility to the region.

Stating that the shopkeepers in Phrygia completed their preparations before the feast, Acar said, 'The caves in Ayazini village were illuminated. A different atmosphere was created by creating night walking areas. We are ready with our live music and entertainment activities. We welcome everyone to Phrygia.

Shopkeeper Şerife Karakol said that they are very pleased with the number of tourists coming to Phrygia in recent months and that they think that business will be busy during the holiday.

Tradesman Nevzat Çakmak stated that they will have a pleasant time with local flavors in Phrygia, which is called the second Cappadocia.

Kemal Aydoğmuş's column published on son haber website on June 23, 2023. Source: https://www.sonhaber.com.tr/frigyada-bir-ucan-balon