It is very tempting to go on a hot air balloon ride. However, these rides are quite expensive. Here are some reasons why these balloon rides are so expensive.
Insurance
As you will be riding hundreds of feet up above the ground, there is a risk of an accident. So, the operators must get insurance, and it doesn’t come cheap. The operators try to cover the insurance expense by putting the ticket price high.
Renting and storage
Though the balloon is deflated when stored, it takes a lot of space. Also, the tour operators need to rent fields to launch and land the balloons. When these costs are incorporated, the ticket price becomes high.
The balloon’s cost
The hot air balloon is very expensive to buy. The price is between GBP 16,000 to GBP 80,000. If they have to make a profit out of this, they need to keep the ticket price high.
Employees
You need a group of employees to operate the hot water balloon rides. You need to pay them a salary. The employees are qualified and so keeping them incurs a lot of expense.
Fuel
The fuel cost to run the hot air balloon is quite high. The tour operators must include the cost of fuel in the ticket price. So, the overall price of the ticket becomes high.
Maintenance
High maintenance cost is associated with hot air balloon rides. It is necessary to keep the hot air balloons in good condition. Any part of the balloon may get damaged. The burner also has a cost. Regular inspections are necessary to ensure that the balloon is not faulty. A full-time mechanic is needed to keep the hot air balloon in good condition all the time.
Apart from these expenses, there are many extras too. For example, you may want a professional photographer to take your pictures or get champagne served after the ride. This increases the price of the ticket.