While outlier disasters like hot-air balloons exploding may get the front page stories and deter most people, ATTA President Shannon Stowell claims with the right tour operator, you are in safe hands:
"When we hear about a dramatic event like a balloon exploding, it plumbs the depths of our fears, whereas when we hear about an automobile accident — not so much," said Stowell, the Adventure Travel Trade Association head. "The reality is that with adventure travel overall, if you're going with a good operator who knows what they're doing, you are as safe or safer than when you're on your own in a vehicle."Hot-air ballooning has been around for centuries, but many travelers still consider it as exciting as parasailing or bungee jumping.
You can find the full article on NPR here. 