The 3rd stage of the Turkey Paragliding Target Championship, which consists of a total of 7 stages, will be held in Alanya on June 10-12. Athletes who place in the individual and team categories at the end of the stages will earn the right to participate in the world championship. Visiting the Alanya Association of Tourism Professionals (ALTİD) regarding the matter, THK Paragliding Flight Instructor Ergun Ulu and those accompanying him provided information to the President of ALTİD and Member of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Hotel Association (TÜROFED) Burhan Sili.
“14 COUNTRIES WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE COMPETITION IN ALANYA”
Highlighting the importance of the competition, which will be held in the CAT2 approved category, Flight Instructor Ulu stated that the event is organized by the Turkish Aeronautical Association (THK), the Türkiye Representative of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), and is supported by Alanya Municipality, ALTİD, ALTAV, Alanya Nature Sports Club (ALDOSK), and Ulu Sky Paragliding School, adding that approximately 14 countries are expected to participate in this international competition. Noting that the paragliding sport began with 350 flights in 2006, Ulu said, “In 2015, we reached an average of 7,000 flights in Alanya.”
“THERE ARE 400 THOUSAND LICENSED PARACHUTISTS IN EUROPE”
ALTİD President Sili, stating that alternative sports are of great importance in creating tourism diversity, said, “The current conditions reveal that sustainable tourism cannot be achieved solely with the sea, sand, and sun trilogy. There are 400 thousand licensed paragliders in Europe. Paragliding holds a significant share in sports tourism. Last year, 120 thousand paragliding flights were conducted both professionally and amateurly in Fethiye, Ölüdeniz. The number of flights in Alanya, which is 7 thousand per year, will increase even further. As an institution, we are providing the necessary support for this sport to develop in Alanya.”