On Friday morning, January 16, hot air balloons took off from Hyderabad Golf Club near Golconda Fort, marking the start of Telangana’s Hot Air Balloon Festival running from January 16 to 18. Eighteen balloons carried around 40 passengers, mainly print and electronic media representatives, along with some social media influencers. In the evening, officials expect 10 to 15 tethered balloons to operate at Parade Grounds in Secunderabad. These tethered balloons will carry about 130 to 133 visitors who booked tickets online. A senior Tourism Department official said, "Unlike the free-flying balloons in the morning, these would be tethered and ascend to a limited height before descending back to the same spot." The festival was inaugurated by Minister for Tourism and Culture Jupally Krishna Rao. He also took a hot air balloon ride, spending nearly 1.5 hours in the air. The flight covered about 13 kilometres, starting near Hyderabad Golf Club and ending near Appajiguda outskirts. Minister Jupally Krishna Rao said, "The focus is on showcasing Telangana’s natural beauty and historical legacy to a global audience. Adventure tourism initiatives, such as hot air ballooning, play a key role in attracting both domestic and international tourists by offering more immersive and experiential travel opportunities."