The Cypriots ravaged the occupied territories during the Christmas holidays, staying mostly in illegal hotels and playing in casinos. JCC data show where the Greek Cypriots spent most of their money in 2016.
Of the total 10,5m euros spent by the Greek Cypriots with plastic money last year, 7,3m euros were paid for hotel, casino and airline tickets from the occupied territories to Turkey. For the month of December alone, an amount of 913 thousand euros was spent on credit cards. Of this amount, 396 thousand euros were paid for accommodation in hotel units of the occupied, while another 174 thousand euros were paid by the Greek Cypriots in a casino of the occupied. As it seems, in December much more money was spent in casinos than in the other months of the year, which as usual bet around 120-130 thousand euros.
A total of 2016 euros was spent on hotels in 3.732.000, 1.977.275 euros on casinos and 1.605.974 euros on airline tickets to Turkish airports. It is obvious that even in a time of crisis, some Greek Cypriots find money that they bet on in casinos, combining luxurious stays in five-star hotels with all expenses paid (food and drink).
It is noteworthy that several Greek Cypriots bought clothing and footwear for the Christmas holidays from the occupied areas instead of the free areas.
According to the JCC, in December alone, they paid with credit cards an amount of 108 thousand euros in stores of the occupied and another 34 thousand euros in supermarkets. Most of the purchases were for imitation items, while it is noted that, as usual, around 35-40 thousand euros were spent every month for these items.
Source: Liberal