Bulgarians come for Christmas shopping: they buy everything they see
Tourists from neighboring Bulgaria, taking advantage of the worthless Turkish lira, flocked to Edirne for their upcoming Christmas shopping.
Due to the exchange rate difference, tourists who come to the city buy almost everything, from needles to threads. Traders in the city market, which is one of the frequent destinations for Bulgarian tourists, said they were pleased with the intensity experienced. Almost all the parking lots near the market were full of vehicles with Bulgarian license plates.
‘THEY BUY WHAT THEY FIND’
Kemal Cingöz, president of the Edirne Chamber of Artisans and Craftsmen, said Bulgarian tourists contributed greatly to the city’s economy. Stating that the number of Bulgarians coming to Edirne for New Year shopping has increased, Cingöz said: “They do their shopping in the malls instead of the merchants. Everything they find, they take with them. As long as they can see it. They buy mostly sweet products, clothing, everything. It has a great contribution to the economy of the city. In addition, it contributes not only to the city, but also to the economy of the country. As long as we can do this sustainably. The reason they go to the market is a little more affordable than the bazaars,” he said.
‘ARTISAN DO NOT HIRE’
Cingöz, who also warned traders that they charge exorbitant prices, said that tourists who come to Bulgaria complain about the prices. Cingöz said: “Every year, when the New Year rolls around, the numbers increase. But it’s not just about Christmas. Many people have come here from Bulgaria recently. There are also those who enter through the border gate and go to other places. They are not satisfied with Edirne because they are leaving. That is why I recommend it to my professional colleagues; welcome people who come. There are complaints about the prices. Do not do this. As input costs rise, traders are unable to sell their products at a loss. So they can make a reasonable raise. But I ask you not to do it with the idea of being sold anyway,” he said.
‘WE COME FOR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING’
Şenay Hüseyinova, who came to Edirne from Bulgaria for shopping, said: “We came for shopping, for New Year’s Eve. I bought clothes, shoes, bags. Too crowded. I like turkey. I came here to travel. “I’m buying it,” she said.
İbrahim Yaşar, who came from Bulgaria, stated that they bought clothes for their children, saying: “We came to buy. We buy clothes for the children. The prices here seem more reasonable to me. There are many citizens of Bulgaria here, ”he said.
‘THEY MEET ALL YOUR NEEDS HERE’
Gamze Toker, a market trader who welcomed the intensity experienced, said: “Things are good, thank God. Most of them come from Bulgaria. They get all their needs from here. As merchants, we are happy. Right now there is a lot of density for Christmas shopping, ”he said.
Trader Artug Birtek said: “Business is good, the market is good. A stranger is coming. Bulgaria is dense. There are also people from Greece, but a little less come. They are currently stimulating the economy. This work is OK. They came for New Year’s Eve. I think more crowds will come next week. When there is a currency difference, they make a lot of purchases,” he said. (DHA)