Tour companies in Turkey have turned the rising food prices into an opportunity. Some firms have started supermarket tours to neighboring Greece. The price for these day trips is 39 euros, which is approximately 1900 TL, and they are attracting a lot of interest. Citizens from Turkey are traveling by bus to Alexandroupoli in Greece to do cheaper grocery shopping.
In Turkey, food prices are on the rise in line with increasing inflation. As citizens are in search of both affordable and high-quality food, they are looking for new solutions. Seeing this situation as an opportunity, tour companies have started organizing 'supermarket tours'. During these tours to Greece, citizens shop from inexpensive markets.
A company has started organizing day trips for shopping to Alexandroupoli. The trips, which are scheduled to depart every Tuesday and Friday night, are priced at 39 euros (approximately 1900 TL).
Citizens traveling to Alexandroupoli by bus usually visit Lidl and Jumbo supermarkets, which are known for their low prices. Cheeses that cost up to 200 lira per kilogram in Turkey are sold around 56 euros in these markets.
The tour is not just for food shopping. It also includes visits to Greek stores that sell household goods, baby items, toys, and stationery. The shopping spree generally starts at 9:00 in the morning and usually ends around 16:30. After shopping, the tour passengers are given four hours of free time in Alexandroupoli.