The story of Cappadocia Balloon Ticket began in the autumn of 2019, inside one of Cappadocia’s old stone houses.
Kaan is a true local of Cappadocia. He has been part of the tourism world here since he was 12 years old. As a child, he served tea to foreign guests at his father’s guesthouse. Later, he worked in hotels, learned agency operations, and came to know every street, every valley, and every fairy chimney of the region. But most importantly, he learned exactly what visitors need and what they expect when they come to Cappadocia.
Esra, on the other hand, is an architect from Ankara. She studied architecture at university and met Kaan while presenting a hotel project at a major tourism fair in Ankara. At first glance, they were from different worlds — tourism and architecture — yet Kaan’s passion and Esra’s eye for design somehow came together naturally.
When they got married, Esra left her life in Ankara and moved to Cappadocia. The transition from a big city to a small town filled with fairy chimneys felt strange at first. But as she saw Kaan’s dedication and got to know the warm people of Cappadocia, she slowly fell in love with this land and the world of tourism.
“What I learned in architecture,” Esra often said, “is that good design starts with understanding what the user needs. Tourism is no different.”
The First Spark
One evening in 2019, over dinner, Kaan said:
“Today I met another tourist family struggling with their balloon reservation. They got wrong information, and they were worried about whether they'd get their money back.”
Esra listened carefully.
“In architecture, we call this user experience,” she said. “How people feel when they enter a space, whether they know where to go, whether they feel secure. The same should apply to your work. People making a reservation should feel safe.”
That night they talked for hours. Kaan brought local knowledge and years of experience. Esra brought meticulous planning and a user-centered approach.
“Let’s build a platform,” Esra suggested. “But not an ordinary website — a system where every detail is considered, and users never feel uncertain.”
Bringing a Third Pillar Into the Team
The next day, Kaan called his close friend Hurşit — an experienced operations manager in a local travel agency. They had seen the same problems for years.
When the three sat together, Hurşit said:
“Every day tourists ask the same questions — Which company should we trust? What happens if the flight is cancelled? Will we lose our money? And yes… there are operators who make things difficult.”
“That’s exactly why this platform should exist,” Esra said.
“I can design the system, and you two know the industry from inside. If we combine strengths, we can build something truly reliable.”
Hurşit thought for a moment and agreed:
“I’m in. But let’s not do this as just a business. Cappadocia’s reputation matters.”
Building the Foundation
At the start of 2020, the three gathered in a small office to begin the real work.
Kaan visited pilots and company owners he had known for years.
Hurşit built the operational backbone — reservation systems, customer communication, cancellation policies.
Esra designed the entire user experience:
• What happens when each button is clicked
• What information appears at each step
• How the flow works during cancellations
“No one should get lost inside a building,” she said. “And no one will get lost on this website either.”
The Pandemic — and a Turning Point
Then the pandemic arrived. Tourism stopped. Financial worries began. Esra was pregnant, and the future felt uncertain.
During these difficult months, they visited Hazim Abi — a highly respected balloon operator Kaan had admired since childhood. Although not related by blood, he had always guided Kaan like an older brother.
After listening, Hazim Abi said:
“Kaan, I’ve known you since you were little. You were an honest boy, and you became an honest man. Esra, you came from Ankara and adapted here with dignity. And Hurşit — your operational knowledge is valuable.”
He paused and added:
“I’ll support you financially and open my connections. But know this: This job is difficult. You must see it through.”
With his support, everything gained momentum. Hurşit left his agency job and joined full-time. Esra continued designing the system, even during pregnancy. Kaan and Hazim Abi visited balloon companies to check standards.
When their daughter was born, Kaan held her and said with a smile:
“This girl will also grow up in tourism.”
Esra, exhausted but happy, replied:
“When I moved from Ankara, I never imagined this life — but now I’m grateful.”
Launch and Today
By the summer of 2021, Cappadocia Balloon Ticket was ready.
Today, Kaan still goes to the balloon fields at sunrise, greeting guests on the land he grew up in.
Esra now designs experiences instead of buildings — checking each reservation with an architect’s precision.
Hurşit manages the operations and systems with deep industry knowledge.
And Hazim Abi continues running his balloon company, occasionally dropping by with a smile:
“How’s everything, kids?”
What We Stand For
Cappadocia Balloon Ticket is not just a platform.
It is:
• The experience of a local who grew up among these valleys
• The meticulous vision of an architect who fell in love with this land
• The operational strength of a friend who has seen every corner of this industry
• The guidance of a respected elder who believes in doing things right
Every morning, as Cappadocia’s sky fills with colors, we are proud to be part of this magical experience.
That’s why we’re here — with local knowledge, meticulous planning, reliability, and passion.
