Tourists Come To Laleli and Do Their Shopping!
Tourists who flocked to Laleli from countries such as Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Romania brought activity to the region. While tourists stated that they prefer Turkey because it is cheap, a bus company official said, “They buy diapers from here.”
It was noteworthy that in the past months, Bulgarian tourists preferred Edirne especially for shopping on the grounds that it is cheaper than their own country. Now, visitors from countries such as Russia, Georgia, Armenia and Romania have headed to Istanbul Laleli for shopping. There has been a significant increase in the number of visitors recently. Some tourists who come to Istanbul do both holiday and shopping. Others come to Istanbul – Laleli International Passenger Terminal for a day just to do their shopping.
THEY ARE RETURNING TO THEIR COUNTRY WITH TRAILER
They buy products such as food, clothing, textiles and cleaning materials from the area around the terminal, pack their bags to return to their country and get on the bus again. Those who shop too much to fit in their suitcases deliver their goods to logistics companies located in the same terminal. While the passengers’ belongings go to their countries in trucks and trucks, they complete their journey by bus.
“I SPENDED ABOUT 3 THOUSAND DOLLARS”
Stating that she comes to our country once a week for shopping, Sanda Trandafir said, “We come from Romania for shopping. Our frequency of visits has increased recently. Since the economy is troubled, it is more expensive there, we prefer here. We come and go once a week. Coats, shoes, “For example, we buy rice. whatever suits you to eat here. We also buy baklava, but we buy it for ourselves. I have two big bags. I spent around $3,000.”
“THIS IS TOO CHEAP, MOSCOW IS TOO EXPENSIVE”
Abbasova Xaver, who came from Moscow for shopping, said, “We came with a small suitcase, we go with 3 suitcases. We bought clothes here, we bought ourselves clothes, we bought bags. This place is very cheap, Moscow is very expensive. The people here are good, the shops are better, they are not very expensive either. “I came here to buy something, everybody buys it. Compared to other countries, everything is very cheap here. Fur, for example, is cheap. This is my job. I can’t tell you exactly how much I spent.”
“THEY BUY CLOTHES FROM HERE”
İlhan Özkul, the bus company representative, said, “We generally work in Romania. Passengers coming here trade in suitcases. There is a serious increase. The products there are much more expensive. They come here to meet their own household needs. They also come for commercial purposes.” They buy vehicle parts, diapers. They even get their food from here. There has been an increase in food intake for the last 6-7 months.”
“THE BUS HAS MORE LUGGAGE THAN PASSENGER”
Passenger terminal officer Ahmet Çetin Tüfekçioğlu said, “There is a 100 percent increase in both the baggage trade, the number of passengers and the number of buses. During the pandemic period, this place completely stopped. 60 buses depart from here daily. 15-20 buses in the past. This number includes trucks and buses. .They come with empty suitcases. They buy clothing, cleaning materials, even toilet paper and napkins. There is an increase in the number of tourists from countries such as Georgia, Romania, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bulgaria. “A bus ticket costs between $50 and $80. This also creates jobs here. Arrivals cost between $500 and $5,000. On buses, more luggage than passengers.” and there are treasures,” he said.
