Shopping fever begins again in Bulgaria

In Edirne, the intensity at the border gates ended with the return of expatriates to their countries. This situation increased the number of Bulgarian tourists coming to Edirne to do their daily shopping.

According to data from the Regional Directorate of Customs and Foreign Trade of Thrace, 32,412 Bulgarians have entered Edirne through the Kapıkule border post since the weekend. Authorities stated that the number of people coming to the country for shopping, including Pazarkule and the İpsala border gate, exceeds 40 thousand.

Kemal Cingöz, president of the Edirne Chamber of Merchants and Craftsmen, said that Bulgarian tourists make an important contribution to the city.

Cingöz commented: “Since the expatriate season ended, serious Bulgarian citizens started coming to Edirne for shopping. The arrival of Bulgarians not only benefits the economy of Edirne, but also contributes to the economy of the country. In this case, traders will reflect the necessary increases, but should not act opportunistically. “This should be appreciated,” he said.

BEFORE WE WERE LEAVING, NOW THEY COME

Cingöz stated that Turks used to go to Bulgaria, but due to the exchange rate effect now Bulgarians come to Turkey and said:

Especially Bulgarians account for 80 percent of dessert consumption in Edirne. Additionally, they buy most cosmetic products. They take everything, there is nothing they don’t take. Furthermore, when they come, they spend between 1,000 and 1,500 levs a day. I don’t have any statistical information, but that’s what we heard. There is also a difference in the exchange rate here. This is one of the main reasons to come here. “You know, we used to go there and shop.”

Cingöz stressed that Edirne remains the first choice of Bulgarian and Greek tourists: “Edirne has not lost its Bulgarian customers, nor should it lose them. For this reason, merchants have a great responsibility. They must be reasonable, especially with prices. “They shouldn’t inflate prices too much,” he said.

‘WE HAVE NO WORK WITHOUT THEM’

Berat Kaplan, owner of a dessert shop in Edirne, says his business has improved, especially with the increase in Bulgarian and Greek tourists.

Kaplan said: “Our business is going well, the expatriates have left, the density at the border gates has decreased, our Greek and Bulgarian customers have started to arrive. If they didn’t happen, we wouldn’t be able to work. I can say that 70 to 80 percent of our clients are Bulgarian and Greek clients. Especially Bulgarians buy a lot of baklava, and Greek customers mainly buy filo dough. “We can say that our busiest season has begun,” he said.

DENSITY IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE FURTHER

The owner of the bakery, Sevgi Seyrek, also noted that they expect the density to increase in the coming days.

Seyrek said: “With the return of expatriates and the decrease in density at the border gates, our Bulgarian and Greek clients began to increase density again. They don’t leave without buying baklava, pastries and drinking our coffee. “We hope they will come more frequently in the coming days,” he said.

Milena Danskova, originally from the Svilengrad district in the border region of the Bulgarian province of Haskovo, said they were shopping for a wedding.

Danskova said: “Until today we saw a lot of vehicles returning to Germany because we live in Svelingrad, close to the border. Now, with its decline, border crossing has become calmer. I can’t say he’s completely calm, but he’s better now. We bought some dresses because we have a wedding coming up. I think the prices were reasonable too. I looked for shoes for myself. My cousin spent more money. “I think she spent around 100 BGN,” she said. (DHA)