Reduced fuel prices, the depreciation of the Turkish lira and holidays have tripled the number of Greek Cypriots who went to the occupied territories during the summer months. According to data from the Police, from June to August, 734.301 Greek Cypriots had entered the occupied areas through roadblocks (except Pergamon and Strovilia), compared to 256.031 in the corresponding summer months.
In detail, this June, 249.391 Greek Cypriots went to the occupied territories, in July the number was somewhat reduced and ranged from 220.687.
In August, the main month of summer vacation, 264.223 Greek Cypriots went to the occupied territories. From the analysis of last year's data, it is clear that visits increased by 30%.
In June 2018, 73.487 Greek Cypriots went to the occupied territories, in July 79.258 and in August last year 103.286. Competent sources attribute the increased flows of Greek Cypriots, to the continuing fall of the Turkish lira against the euro.
They also believe that the lower fuel prices in relation to the free zones and the cheaper airline tickets have contributed to the increase in the number of Greek Cypriots. They also claim that many took vacations during the occupation and for a few days.
It is worth noting that last year, throughout the year, 1,01 million Greek Cypriots had entered the occupied territories and they estimate that this year's crossings will exceed 1,6 million.
The increase in the presence of Greek Cypriots in the occupied territories is also photographed by the use of credit cards. In June and July, the value of purchases using Cypriot cards in the occupied territories amounted to € 3,9 million. For August, no data are available yet.
In the 7 months of January-July, the total expenditure of plastic money in the occupied territories reached € 11,7 million. Last year, the use of cards in the occupied territories was only € 7 million, while then the amount was increased to close the year with expenditures of € 3,4 million and € 15 million in 9,4.
Also, the value of credit card purchases in Turkey in the two summer months, June-July 2019, amounted to € 1,1 million, while the total amount in the seven months was € 3,1 million.
And more T / C
In addition to the increase in Greek Cypriot crossings in the occupied territories, the number of Turkish Cypriots visiting the free areas from June to August has also increased. Specifically, 333.499 Turkish Cypriots visited the free areas compared to 259.447 in the corresponding period of 2018. The value of the markets using Turkish cards in the free areas was € 2,1 million in the above months this year.
Source: Philenews