Hot-air balloon festival begins in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Hot-air balloons dotted Hyderabad skies as the three-day festival kicked off on Friday, marking a new chapter in Telangana's tourism sector. State Tourism and Culture Minister Jupally Krishna Rao inaugurated the Festival near the historic Golconda Fort at the Golf Club.

He later undertook a hot air balloon ride as part of the opening celebrations. The Minister spent nearly one-and-a-half hours in the air, covering a distance of about 13 kilometres. The ride began near the Golconda Golf Club and concluded at the outskirts of Appajiguda, offering sweeping aerial views of Hyderabad and its surrounding landscapes. Around 40 passengers were carried in 18 hot air balloons that took off in the morning. Describing the experience as "truly memorable," Jupally Krishna Rao said the initiative marked a new chapter in the State's tourism journey.

Highlighting Telangana's dual focus on heritage and innovation, the Minister said that while the International Kite and Sweet Festival reflects the State's rich culture, traditions and hospitality, events such as the Hot Air Balloon and Drone Festivals showcase modern technology and a future-oriented vision.

He noted that this convergence of culture and technology was key to positioning Telangana as a contemporary tourism destination.

Reiterating the government's commitment to strengthening the 'Destination Telangana' brand, Rao said the focus was on taking the State's natural beauty and historical legacy to a global audience. Adventure tourism initiatives, he added, would play a significant role in attracting both domestic and international tourists by offering immersive and experiential travel opportunities.

The Minister said the State's new tourism policy aims to accelerate growth in the sector by attracting private investment and promoting public-private partnerships to develop world-class infrastructure and quality services.