Difficult to see clearly with the exchange rate of the Turkish lira. It peaked until the beginning of the week, before dropping down suddenly. A yoyo movement which does not reassure investors, but which makes tourists happy to visit Turkey. In recent months, they have seen their purchasing power soar.
With our correspondent in Istanbul, Cherry Sudry-Le Dû
It’s hard to miss Thomas. He just had hair implants and his scalp is still red. This tourist has been preparing his trip to Turkey for a few months. And when he saw the exchange rate, which peaked earlier this week, he was surprised himself.
” In the two weeks that I have been here, the price of an Australian dollar has fluctuated between 9 and 15 pounds! he rejoices. But of course it was a good surprise to see that my purchasing power was so high! “
He has something to smile about! Like him, tourists have seen their purchasing power swell in recent weeks in Turkey, in the face of a Turkish lira that kept falling.
Investments in stone
Conditions which lead more and more foreigners to invest in stone. Serkan Kavuk, real estate agent, has also noticed.
” Over the past three months, many foreign buyers have come to us, he explains. But homeowners are raising their prices, too, based on the dollar. An apartment that sold for one million Turkish liras five months ago is now worth two million. We’re changing our price lists every day right now! “
The Turkish lira has rebounded suddenly in recent days. But many economists remain cautious.
► To read : Economic crisis: is Turkey falling into a dangerous spiral?