Cost of Living in Northern Cyprus Surpasses Europe

A recent report by Halkın Sesi newspaper highlights the disparity in prices between Northern Cyprus and neighboring regions. Despite growth in the tourism sector in Northern Cyprus, there are ongoing complaints from the sector about the lack of foreign tourists, which some attribute to the high prices.

A Turkish Cypriot citizen shared their experience on social media, contrasting the cost of dining in Greece with that in Northern Cyprus. The individual noted that during a recent visit to Thessaloniki, Greece, a group of seven dined at a taverna, enjoying four bottles of ouzo, a carafe of white wine, sodas, waters, desserts, and seven portions of kebabs with live music, all for a total of 198 Euros, equivalent to 7,250 TL, or about 1,000 TL per person.

AFFORDABLE SEAFOOD IN GREECE

Before returning home, the same citizen had a late lunch in Alexandroupolis, where they paid just 128 Euros (4,680 TL) for a seafood meal that included large plates of shrimp casserole, calamari, beef souvlaki, beers, sodas, salads, and various appetizers. This worked out to about 660 TL per person, despite the restaurant being located just 100 meters from the marina.

"LOWER YOUR PRICES, NOT JUST YOUR ADVERTISING"

The citizen criticized the high prices in Northern Cyprus, urging local businesses to reduce costs instead of focusing solely on advertising. They emphasized that tourists would naturally promote the island if they were satisfied with their experiences, without the need for expensive promotional campaigns.

The citizen also pointed out that even the simplest tavernas in Northern Cyprus now charge a minimum of 1,200 TL per person, with prices in fish restaurants often exceeding 2,000 TL. They called on local tourism and restaurant operators to rethink their approach to attracting tourists, arguing that lowering prices could make the island more competitive and appealing to visitors.