Despina Karatzias has been awarded a Tourism Fellowship from the Victorian Tourism Industry Council.
Ms Karatzias, Business Manager of Global Ballooning, has worked closely with the company to help develop ballooning tourism in Victoria. Currently, Global Ballooning has a foothold on flights over Melbourne and Yarra Valley.
“Winning it was surreal,” Ms Karatzias told Neos Kosmos. “I found out I was the recipient about three months before it was announced so I celebrated quietly until I was formerly presented with the award in early December.” The Tourism Fellowship will enable Ms Karatzias to conduct research into the hot air balloon tourism experience and to strengthen the relationship between hot air ballooning and the destinations.
In her proposal, Ms Karatzias outlined that her ‘quest’ will be to travel to regions that are the epitome of food and wine as well as regions where hot air ballooning is understood to be the best way to experience the region properly.
“Tourism has certainly had some setbacks however where there is pain there is gain and through these challenges some wonderful opportunities have presented themselves,” says Ms Karatzias of the industry. “But there is never a dull moment in ballooning. Managing a business that is 100 per cent at the mercy of the weather gods has it’s challenge’s yet you just have to experience a flight first-hand to know why I love it so much.
“Flying in a hot air balloon is truly an experience like no other as it provides a gentle, smooth, and even calming experience – I like to describe it as a floating balcony or magic carpet ride,” she says of ballooning.
“There is virtually no sensation of movement, you don’t feel the wind, because you are the wind. It is definitely something everyone should experience at least once in their lives, no matter what age you may be.”
Ms Karatzias is expected to travel to Tuscany, Italy and Turkey to spend time with tour operators and accommodation providers, as well as hot air balloon operators in Capadoccia. She hopes to return to Melbourne equipped with more knowledge on what draws tourists to balloon tourism.
